Thoughts on my bible reading:

Read Nehemiah - one of the things that stood out was the section where the wall was finished - chapter 8 "They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord commanded for Israel... He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square...and as he opened it, the people all stood up."

First they went to their "priest" and ask him to read scripture to them, then they listened for hours...while standing! That amazes me and had me thinking how I've never heard of that happening here but then I thought the bible is one of the most sold books, everyone has access to it, can read it anytime and in those days this was not the case - they needed to have someone read it to them. Did that make them more willing, more excited, more grateful when they did have the opportuntity to hear His word that they would stand for hours listening, while here the Bible is in every house practically and we struggle to find time to read it. Makes me shake my head at myself.

Reading Leviticus and all the offering regulations. First thought - how boring reading all this but as I was walking home today I got thinking about how we are not to go in front of Him empty handed. I've often thought what do I bring to Him when I pray. That thought plus Leviticus got me thinking that maybe all these regulations was a teaching tool - physical sacrifices to remind us not to go to him empty handed- as preparation for Christ new covenant. Now instead of physical sacrifices of cows/lambs our offering, our sacrifice is our heart? our life?

Thank you Lord for this weekend with Kristie, thank you for another week of mostly symptom free and for those days of no headaches. Thank you for the nice weather, for a wam bed, hot water, a good husband, and a good life. Help me to appreicate what I have, to hunger more for your word and to be more appreciative of having easy access to it.

What? Speak Louder I can't Hear You...

Well I went to see the specialist today...I'm sure he is good but he was way to rushed. "Whats the problem? Sounds like you have Meniere's Disease. Here's a paper that tells you all about it. Take Gravol when it's bad, here's a prescription for the dizziness, cut out sodium, cafeine, alcohol...see you in 6 months." Maybe he didn't say much because he thought I couldn't hear him anyway?

Ménière's Disease - The Uninvited Guest

Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance. It is characterized by episodes of dizziness and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear. It is caused by an increase in volume and pressure of the endolymph of the inner ear. Research has shown that the dysfunction in Meniere's Disease is due to a minute (1/25 of a drop) amount of excess fluid in the inner ear. It is named after the French physician Prosper Meniere who first reported that vertigo was caused by inner ear disorders in an article published in 1861.

From the paper he gave me..."The symptoms appear at adulthood, usually last many years, and then the symptoms usually burn themselves out by elderly age." So I have one thing to look forward to in my old age.

"Hearing loass my be temporary or permanent" I basically have a 50-50 chance with that one. There are some pro's to permanent...I'd have a good reason not to hear the things I don't want to hear...

I'm definetely on a low sodium diet, no caffeine (goodbye chocolate), no alcohol and "since stress and psychological issues can severly exacerbate your symptoms: take common sense measures in this regard." So I'm hoping that the outcome of this is a greater sense of me relying on God, not letting things that are not "eternal issues" bother me, to let go, be happy and quit being a complusive fusser! Wish me luck or pray for me - which ever you prefer.

All about Sarah:

Saturday night I get called to come talk to Sarah in her room... I open the door to a completely clean room (been awhile since I've seen that), furtniture rearranged (love the new set up), and fish tank all set up for new pet, a big sign hanging from her lights asking please can we buy a hamster they are only $11.93. Her friend and her are sitting on the bed, looking all innocent and eager with a ton of reason why Sarah should get a hamster. Whats a mother to say? By the way - Marshmallow was only $6.96...

And here's a pic to prove that she has shoveled the snow at least once in her teenage life:

Thank you Lord for my daughter, thank you for reminding me that she still is a kid at heart, for her smile, her love of animals, her laughter. Please keep her safe, guide her, protect her.

Bathrooms...

The story begins a few days after Christmas when Murray went to unplug the clogged sink in the main bathroom. He announced that the bottom of the sink was rusting and so were the pipes so we should replace. Heather looks at the bathroom, walk back to the kitchen..."Can we get a new vanity then since the door is falling off." Sure was the answer. Heather walks back to the bathroom look at the toilet, walk back the kitchen. "Can we get a new toilet since the sink and bathtub will be white and the toilet is yellow with a green lid?" Sure was the answer.

A few days later Murray begins the demo - next time Heather checks the demolitation area the only thing left in the room is the bathtub and surround. His demo included the floor - including the sub floor. He spends a few days putting down a new subfloor and gyprocing (spelling?) while Heather Home Depot shops. Several Home Depot trips and a few other stores and a few weeks later, the final look is this:

Heather is very very happy....

She leaves one day to go see a movie with a friend and leaves her husband and brother in law to nail the baseboards and moulding....

She comes home, goes to her 1/2 bath off the bedroom...to discover it nows has no sink, no counter, no vanity and huge hole in the wall. She walks back to the living room, "Got a story to tell?" Well...

Murray accidentially put a nail through the water pipe and the only way to get at it besides ripping apart the newly renovated bathroom was via the 1/2 bath. What does one do in a situation like that? Laugh.

This is how the 1/2 bath now looks.

So the myth that renovations never quite finish once you start may well be true because...

I'm looking at the bedroom trying to decide what color to paint it .

Hey, if I have to paint the 1/2 bath, I'll need to paint the bedroom too right?

Miss Mooney:

My favorite memory of Miss Mooney was one day in church when we were missing a few people (some of the more better and louder singers). After our first song you could hear her quite clearly comment "Seems all the good singers are gone today." (or something like that). Well that made me laugh but what was even funnier was the very next song everyone "stepped up the plate" and sang much more heartier and louder. It was great!

I'll miss seeing her sitting there in her seat with her knitted hat, her squeezing your hand when you said hello...

Thank you Lord for the assurance of knowing that Miss Mooney is experiencing the lines from this song by Chris Rice:

"Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors I have never seen

Deep enough to join a billion people for a wedding feast

Deep enough to reach out and touch the face of the One who made me

And oh, the love I feel, and oh the peace

Do I ever have to wake up

‘Cause peace is pouring over my soul

See the lambs and the lions playin’

I join in and I drink the music

Holiness is the air I’m breathin’

My faithful heroes break the bread and answer all of my questions

Not to mention what the streets are made of

My heart’s held hostage by this love."

Job:

As in the book of Job, chapter 33

"Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand,
to tell a man what is right for him, to be gracious to him and say,
Spare him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom for him.
...
Then he comes to men and says,
I sinned, and perverted what was right,
but I did not get what I deserved.
He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit,
and I will live to enjoy the light."

Thank the Lord we do have an "angel" on our side who found a ransom for us - Jesus.

As in what you do for a living "job":

Really enjoyed my job today! Meeting with people around job duties, working on a document where I had to talk to manages/program managers between trying to pull the document together from all these areas, even looking forward to interviewing some people for jobs. All in all it's been a good week, where I have felt that I'm doing a decent job and kinda know what I'm talking about LOL

Thank you Lord for my job, how it has been challenging me, helping me to realize some of my skills and what I enjoy doing, how it has helped financially. Thank you Lord for only having to deal with my dizzy episode and the after effects for one day instead of a week like last time.
Thank you Lord for your son Jesus who paid my ransom, who is my mediator, who is my light.

A Day of Posting....

Here is a video of kids letters to God combined with a song that I have always loved by Nicole C Mullen...hope you enjoy.




While I'm still waiting for Kristie to get ready (I don't remember taking this long when I was a teenager!!) here is a song by one of the bands Kristie listens to:

Beliefs...

Any interesting quote from the book Eragon:

"Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe."

Bible Verses:

Well, I'm trying to read the bible in a year plan. I have done it in past years but the last few years have struggled to read the bible much. So far I haven't fallen behind schedule (only because some days I read a few days worth...well I just want to finish the story, Genesis has a lot of action in it!)

I'm unto Job now. I thought maybe to keep myself motivated I would use my blog to write out certain scripture that makes me think, or pause, or have some insight, or just plain old like. So I am started with Job. This passage made me pause and go wow...

"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shave his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship..."

Fell to the ground in worship.

Okay, I would have fallen to the ground myself but in worship? Wow.

Thank you Lord for Kristie being home this weekend, for nice enough weather to walk home in (and warm clothes), another week of no dizzy spells, my ipod that decided to work again; help me to worship you through the hard times in my life not just beg for help..."may the name of the Lord be praised."

Habits....

Why is it that bad habits are easy to form, and hard to break but good habits are hard to form and easy to break???? Enquiring minds want to know!!!!

Thank you Lord for nice walking weather, interesting challenging work week, our new computer, no dizzy spells, conversations with daughters, being tired at the end of the day, popcorn, smoothies and your love, patient, forgiveness, grace, mercy and being beyond my understanding.

Two Thirds Through my Holiday and What do I have to Show for it?

I was laying in bed the other night thinking that if I went back to work on Monday and my coworkers asked me what I did on my holiday that I would most likely bore them to death...

What have I done?
1. Spent over 5 hours in a doctors office between 2 visits.
2. Shopped with my kids.
3. Looked at computer systems and bathroom fixtures with my husband.
4. Watched my husband demo our bathroom.
5. Watched movies.
6. Finished Showdown and Levi.
7. Started reading "Maybe Life's Just Not that Into You." and "Eragon"
8. Worried about my sick dog that puked all over my light carpet.
9. Cleaned said carpet.
10. Played computer games.

At first I thought, boy I live a boring life but then I thought of things I did that brought joy into my life this Christmas season...

1. Took supper to Jenn and John and got to see their beautiful baby girl, Imogen.
2. Went out and looked at Christmas lights with my family and then played dice all evening.
3. Had the neigbhours over for lunch on Christmas Eve.
4. Ate out for lunch every day the first week.
5. Celebrated my cousin's birthday.
6. Shared Christmas supper at my dad's.
7. Enjoyed smoothies every morning with our new blender.
8. Talked to my sister, Holly, for an hour on Christmas day.
9. Took the dog for walks.
10. Kissed and hugged my girls to the point they are most likely sick of it...but I'm not...

Okay, in someways maybe that is still "boring" stuff to relate to my co-workers BUT it's my life, and I love it .... so there.

I look forward to another year of loving my children and husband, celebrating friends and family birthdays, celebrating the new babies that have and will be joining us on this earth, watching interesting movies with my daughters, sitting in doctors office waiting for my daughters or my turn while I get some quiet time to read my books, playing with the dog and taking him for walks, and hopefully continue to grow in my need and love for God.

Friends...

I've been thinking about the importance of friends these last few days and how God has given me some great friends. I've had people that were friends, and then have lost them through the years, friends that I've known since public school, newer friends - all bring a different perspective and "flavor" to your life.

I have a friend I've know since Grade 1. We have gone through times of not keeping in touch and then reconnecting through letters years later. It's always great to get a letter from her and see what has been happening in her life. She has taught me perseverance in friendships.

I have friends that I met in public school. We've been able to hang on to our friendship also through the years of not staying connected. One has moved to Moose Jaw - so every year Debbie and me travel down there just before Christmas to spend the day visiting with her. They've taught me your never too old to try new things. One just recently got a tattoo and the other is still planning on going backpacking through Europe for her 50th birthday... Can you guess from the pic who is who?

I have friends that I've met in University, by being bold when I was shy and approaching a familiar face in the hallway that was awash with strangers. Through her I met 2 friends. One I ended up being roommates with, one was a bridesmaid at my wedding, and even now though our lives are busy we make a point of going out for coffee once a month. We have each lost a parent over the past few years, different circumstances for each of us but yet a common link. They have taught me that sometimes you need to work at keeping in touch and that friendship out weights bad days and bad moods, that you slog through them and love each other anyway.

Then I have a couple I'm friends with that teach me even when you haven't seen each other for years, it's just like time never past. That you can spend a whole weekend inside visiting and never see the sun until the day you leave and your totally okay with that because it was just so great talking to each other and sharing. That time and distance doesn't diminish friendship.

I have some internet friends that I have never met but now have known for years. They have taught me to be open to friendship in the oddest of places and even if you have never met doesn't mean that you don't have an impact on each other's lives.

Then I have my more recent church friends. Some I'm more close with then others, but they have all been there for me through thick and thin and I love them all. Some have taught me to just be myself and love life, some have taught me to keep relying on God to get me through, some are just a great voice of reason and understanding. Friends who I can't imagine getting through life without.

Thank you Lord for friends.

Saw this while surfing the web...

God is a little like General Electric He lights your path.
God is a little like Bayer Aspirin He works wonders.
God is a little like Hallmark Cards He cared enough to send the very best.
God is a little like Tide He gets out the stains that others leave behind.
God is a little like VO-5 Hair Spray He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is a little like Dial Soap Aren’t you glad you know Him? Don’t you wish everyone did?
God is a little like Sears He has everything.
God is a little like Alka Seltzer Oh, what a relief He is!
God is a little like Scotch Tape You can’t see Him but you know He’s there!
God is a little like The Copper Top Battery Nothing can outlast him.
God is a little like American Express Don’t leave home without Him!

Couch potato?

hmmm...I haven't written for awhile - have I turned into one of those Facebook addictee's that have neglected their blog for the thrill of sending Hatching Eggs and playing Scrabble?

...gulp, I think so either that or I have nothing to say.

Adjusting to my new job, training the person at my old job = being tired and not really wanting to do much in the evenings. Which kinda sucks as it's Christmas time and I should be out visiting with my friends or fighting for a parking spot at a mall. Instead I log unto Facebook and play some scrabble, then lay in front of the tv turning into a lovely couch potato.

I don't like it! I feel that I am neglecting family and friends, and my house.

I went and got groceries today which included baking supplies in the hope I'll get in the baking mood. Didn't...but I did get all my Christmas cards done and sent today (including Christmas letters for some of them). My decorations are up, and 1/2 my presents bought (I'm stuck on the girls, for once I haven't a clue what to get them and they are not offering up lists yet either). So maybe I haven't been as much of a couch potato as I thought I have?

Either way, here I sit enjoying the lights on my Christmas tree, the candles softly glowing, the quiet of the house ...

Thank you Lord for my job that has so eased our financial issues, help me to be a better stewart of it; thank you for a warm bed to cuddle up in on cold nights, thank you for Christmas lights, quietness, love; thank you for friends to visit with, family to hold on to, dogs to get annoyed at; thank you for the reason for the season - your son, his gift, his life, his love, his sacrifice, his daily presence. Please watch over and protect my mother in law, keep her safe, help her to be happy, give my brother in law the wisdom to look after her.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

To all my family and friends in the states.
Not Thanksgiving here but I am feeling in a thanksgiving mood so will share:

I am thankful that I had a job that I loved and have a new job that challenges me.
I am thankful I got to play jeopardy at work today and got paid to do that.
I am thankful for telephones that keep me in touch with my daughter.
I am thankful my youngest daughter gets off the computer once in a while so I can get on it.
I am thankful the Roughriders have been winning and are now in the Grey Cup.
I am thankful that during this crisis with the mother in law, my husband has spent more time with his family.
I am thankful my brother in law has invited us over to his place to watch the Grey Cup and cook us supper.
I am thankful that during this time, my husband and me have talked more, shared more and supported each other more.
I am thankful I'm not on the picket line.
I am thankful for a car that works, a house that is warm, and a bed that is soft.
I am thankful for dear friends that have supported me, love me, tolerated me and listened to me.
I am thankful for my niece who invites me out to craft shows with her.
I am thankful for a God who is ever patient with me, loves me through it all, and is always there.
I am thankful for each day He gives me to try again and love more.
I am thankful for the children in my Wednesday night class that were soooo good and for the patience God gives me with them. For their bright smiles, their jokes, stories and kindness.

Thank you.

Things that made me laugh this weekend:

1. An evening with my hubby and his 3 brothers. Out came the black stress reliever type humor in full swing. We laughed so hard we cried...literally...we have video to prove it.

2. This on a sign:
C H _ _ C H What's missing?

3. and this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fccrd8cMKNA

Thank you Lord for laughter, for family and most of all for you.

For when I need a good laugh...

A moment of thanks...

A had two incidents this week that reminded me of how God's uses this wonderful beautiful world He created to let us know He is with us.

On Thursday as I was driving to my daughters soccer game, I was feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed. I was doing the "self talk" of - this too will pass, all will be fine, God's in control and He is watching over my family, I don't need to worry or stress. Just as I was thinking this I rounded the corner and off in the horizon was this great big almost full moon. The "man in the moon" was very pronounced. It was as if God was saying to me, "Your right Heather, here I am watching over you." It's hard to explain the peace I felt at that moment looking at the moon.

Friday, walking home from work on a cloudy day, feeling tired. Wondering how my mother in law had done during the day and how she would be when I walked in the house. At that moment I entered "another world". I was surrounded by a sea of bright yellow leaves, the branches were hanging over the path with their bright yellow leaves on them. It was like a lightbulb had turned on. I couldn't help but have a big goofy grin on my face as I gazed around. It was like God's love was radiating all around me.

I wonder how many other times He was trying to tell me something through nature that I hadn't noticed. How many times walking home with my head down slogging along I failed to notice God's beauty all around me. But I am very thankful for these two moments when I did notice Him. Thank you Lord.

I love him even more...

My husband amazed me and made me fall in love with him even more.

He brought his mother to our hourse last night to stay the night. She was...not a fun person to be around - angry, paranoid, argumentive, slightly delusional. I almost lost it within 20 minutes of her being here and spent the rest of the night with my mouth shut in the background, but...

my husband was so strong, calm,didn't back down, still loving, understanding, never took anything personal, never got angry at her, never got tired of repeating the same lines over and over to her - it was awesome to see how he treated his mother during this difficult time.

To be frank - he would have gotten major lucky last night if we weren't all so exhausted by the time we talked his mother into going to bed.

Thank you Lord that during this time of "adversity" you have allowed me to see another side of my husband, thank you for giving my mother in law a good sound sleep last night and may she wake up in a better mood, thank you for the knowledge that this too shall pass and things will get better.

Update: Thank you Lord for a good nights sleep for her and a much improved mood.

Busy week....

Starting my new job this week. It was interesting... 2nd day walked into a manager's meeting cold. Got the agenda and last meeting minutes seconds before the meeting started. Almost got seconded to work on everyone's Safety Plans, agreed to be a resource instead LOL Still working a day or two a week at the old job to keep the paperwork up. So, I tend to deal with emails from both jobs everyday plus learning the new job and all the outstanding issues, attending meetings = feeling very tired!!

But I have walked home both days (almost a 45 minute walk).

Went to a Partylite party and only bought tealights - now that's good for me.

Tonight I need to go get some things for the oldest - here is her list:
- money
- food, just noodles
- conditioner
- love
- chocolate would be nice
- sweater she left at home
- patience

Any idea where I can get some patience?

Saturday is leaving town at 7am to go to Regina and spend the day moving everything out of mother in laws house and cleaning it. Coming home the same day... with three families doing this, I'm hoping we won't be there late into the evening.

Sunday is sleeping... hopefully.

I'm thankful for not getting sick, being able to go to sleep early every night, for a slow cooker, patience and a dab of compassion, self control when at the partylite party, great daughters, a patience husband, good friends and this beautiful fall weather with all it's color and falling leaves.

Love my daughter...

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my daughter? Well, we are very proud of her also.

My mother in law is in town and dealing with depression, staying at our house. Mother in law starts to cry and Sarah gets up from the computer and goes and sits with her granny, holds granny, tells granny she loves her and tells granny that she will help fix up her new place so that it feels like home. My husband said it almost brought tears to his eyes to see Sarah do that.

... thank you Lord.

Favorite Song:

Coincidence? I think not...

I've had this situation that has been upsetting me and making me a little anger. Yesterday I was trying to decide if I should say something or not, who should I talk to for some advice and wisdom - driving home from supper I said a little prayer about it.

That night a friend called inviting us for lunch on Sunday. Unfortunately due to circumstances we can't make it but in the course of the conversation she said exactly what I needed to hear about this situation. Dead on even. Then I downloaded a "Scripture of the Day" unto my Facebook account and the scripture was on anger....

I remember a comment my brother in law made to me when he was talking to me about if I believed or not. He said that he had had way too many coincidences in his life for them to be coincidences.

I'm starting to truly understand what he meant by that statement.

Thank you Lord for wise friends, for answered prayers, for being a living active God and for those much needed "coincidences".

Job interview done...

This is the second attempt at doing this blog - first one I was almost done, rehashing the interview and my thoughts and then my phone rang...

...to be told that they would be offering me the job. So I meet with them next Monday to go over some out of scope issues, talk about the job and some changes to it, and I guess to officially say yes.

I'm excited, nervous, scared, happy and sad all at the same time...does that make sense?

But my daughter gave me some wise words of wisdome...

"Mom don't worry you'll make new friends and they will be able to tell you how to do stuff you don't know how to do."

and

"It's just like going from elementary school to high school."

I love my daughter...

Beautiful Music...

Came across this on another site and fell in love with it. Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama singing I Shall Not Walk Alone...

She's driving!!

Yep - Kristie went for her driving test and PASSED!! I'm excited, she's excited...I told her to pick me up from work today...

What was I thinking?????

She turned up with her sister - now that was weird seeing her drive into the parking lot and get out of the drivers side. She said it was weird having her sister sit up in the front seat while she was driving.

Computers and Walking:

Well our computer has decided it doesn't like work anymore and is constantly freezing up on us, which means it has been too frustrating to bother with. So since I am spending less time on the computer you think I would have more time for exercising/walking...ehhh.....well.....

But I am trying to get back into it again, honest. I seem to have lost my motivation to do it on my own - no problem when my friend says lets go walking but to sit here and say "I should go for a walk" it doesn't happen.

We are in the process of getting Kristie ready to return to WCC. So I'm sure that will be my next excuse ...

Murray has seeded our backyard last night with this new type of eco grass - suppose to be hardier with deep roots - so less watering/fertilizing, grows slower (less lawn mowing), I'll keep you posted on how well it works.

I've been organizing our files at home and doing lots of shredding, "Muray, we have income tax statements from the 1980's - can I shred them???"

Watching: Angel Season 2,
Reading: Bag of Bones - but am considering giving it up for Showdown by Ted Dekker; the book of Luke; Every Women in the Bible (very good)
Listening: Sarah watching Roswell Season 3, and Murray making supper.
Smelling : cookies baked by Kristie - yum yum
Feeling: restless and tired

Time for a change?

Historically I change jobs every 5 to 7 years. I am in year 6 of my present job. Still happy, still loving it. Still the best job I’ve ever had.

But…

I got a phone call the other day from the director of our division asking if I had considered applying for the Manager of Support Services and would I consider applying for it. Well, after I recovered from the shock we had a discussion around why I hadn’t and what the job entailed and he ended the conversation with “...think about it and let me know tomorrow if you want to throw your hat in the ring.”

So after discussing it with one of the management staff where I work who I trust to give me their honest opinion of my job skills, talking to my husband, checking out the difference in benefits …

I called him back to say I would throw my hat in the ring.

eeeeeck!!!!…

So now I need to put a resume together (something I haven’t done in ages and I do mean ages!), tell my boss next week, send in the resume and prepare for the interview in September. It has also been 6 years since I’ve done an interview.

The scary part about this is that I would be going from a union job to an out of scope job but as my hubby said, “What has the union done for you lately.” Let me see…nothing but stress.

The funny part about all of this is, after all this stressing about should I or not, typing up a resume and then dealing with an interview – I still might not be the successful candidate and I have a month to take “my hat out of the ring.” But I guess it’s a win win solution. I either get a chance at this exciting new job opportunity or stay in a job I love.

Thank you Lord for this opportunity, I wouldn’t mind a little wisdom and confidence, and peace that I’ve done what is best for my family and me.

God's Handiwork...

Some pics Kristie and me took on our day trip to Crooked Bush and Battleford Western Development Museum...

Presently reading Angels & Demons by Dan Brown and this quote caught my attention:

"Science tells me God must exist. My mind tells me I will never understand God. And my heart tells me I am not meant to."

If you can't stand the heat...go home!

Which we did. Came home yesterday. Let me tell you - tenting in 30+ weather is not that enjoyable. BUT - we did have a great holiday.

Starting with the girls going to teen camp and Murray/me camping at Candle Lake. We canoed down Fisher Creek and saw Pelicans, mama duck and her 2 babies, Canada Goose and her doz babies. Nice and relaxing.

Then off to Manitoba with a stop at Good Spirit Lake..

Us girls canoed over to a more private beach and Murray windsurfed over. Then Sarah got some lessons in windsurfer while Kristie and myself read.

Next we stopped in to visit with some friends in Portage La Prairie where Sarah drove a tractor and they all went river floating one night.

Then off to Gull Harbour campground on Hecla Island in Lake Winnipeg. Really nice area but that's when we hit the 30+ weather. So we took a tour of Hecla Village, and a walk out to the Lighthouse.

I am thankful for great campsites, good weather, playing cards with my children, chillaxing on the beach, time to spend admiring the handiwork of God, chance meetings with my sister's good friend, friends that welcome us into their homes, cool breezes, for a co-worker that leant us a 2 room tent that was a life saver on the evenings I could not stand the bugs one more minute, a nifty light fixture that my sister in law leant us that enabled me to read in the tent, wonderful children that made me laugh, and a husband that put up with me on the days I couldn't handle the bugs one more minute.

Patience...

I confess - I don't have a lot of patiences somedays. Came across this comment the other day and thought - whoa - I need to read this quote more often...

"...impatience stems almost solely from our exaggerated notions of what is due us. If we could but lower our estimation of the importance of our time, our plans and our feelings, we would find ourselves almost automatically more patient.

Patience is a more positive trait. It is the ability to bear affliction, delay and interruption with calmness, perseverance and confience in the goodness of God. It is inward peace as well as outward control. It is the sumission of our schedules, our viewpoints, our dreams to the greater plan of God, with the conviction that he has a good reason for every delay he allows to come our way." (italics mine)

Holidays are about to begin...

...just one more working day left :-)

...things are starting to get packed, need to pack the girls stuff separate from ours...
"A lot of parents pack up their troubles and send them off to summer camp."
— Raymond Duncan
Yep that's us!

...weather is beautiful
...coworker may lend us his 2 room tent
...one more working day left

...pile of books ready for reading
"Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting." Edmund Burke

...last loads of laundry tonight
...one more soccer game tonight too
...still need to buy a few camping items
...one more working day left

...canoe repairs done (note - don't forget to take the oars this time)
"On vacations: We hit the sunny beaches where we occupy ourselves keeping the sun off our skin, the saltwater off our bodies, and the sand out of our belongings." - Erma Bombeck

...just one more working day left (have I mentioned that already?)

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken."
— James Dent

Baths and Mother in laws:

I’m feeling quite the coward this evening as I think I have finally realized why I seem to be having problems dealing with my mother in law. She has been staying with us this weekend. She was involved in a car accident 2 weeks ago and has been staying at her daughters, this weekend with us to give her daughter some respite.

When I was talking to some friends last night the sentence “I’ve gone through this with my mom I don’t want (or can’t) do it again.”, slipped out of my mouth. I didn’t even realize I felt that way but after soaking in a hot tub and thinking about it, I really do think that is how I feel. I think I’m struggling with investing anymore in her because I don’t want to be reminded of my mom, or go through those same emotions and struggles as I did before. And I’m feeling like a coward because I don’t want to face it again but aren’t we suppose to be able to do all things through Christ? And where the H E double hockey stick is my compassion and empathy for my mother in law?

And yet sitting here listening to her go on and on and on about her car, how she thinks she probably has a broken rib, her doctors, not always making sense and being totally resistant to everything my husband is saying to her, is driving me crazy, all my anxiety feelings are rising up and I just want to go to bed and pull the covers over my head…

I feel like such a bad daughter in law...

Grade 8 Graduation!!!

Well, my little girl graduated from Grade 8 tonight. It was a really nice program and she is now off at the "After Grad party"...on campus even!

Here she is all dressed up:

oophs that was the picture with "attitude" - here's a more "proper" pic:

Nice program where they introduced all the students with little bio's of each, then the speeches (all short and sweet), handing out of the scrolls, power point presentation of pics through the year and end of program. Visiting and cake.
Here's a pic with her dad (still showing the attitude...)

Sometimes it seems like yesterday I was so worried about her in the NICU, we brought home a little 5 lb baby to love and nurture.... and now... wow time sure flies!

Thank you Lord for blessing me with such a great kid, thank you for her humor, her big heart, her mischievous grin, her loyalty to her friends, and her fun spirit. Thank you for all the friends and family that you have placed in our lives to help us love and nurture this beautiful young lady. I can not imagine my life without her.

CONCERT AND TOURNAMENT...

my good friend, Alrene, scored some tickets to the Soul to Soul Faith Hill and Tim McGraw tour, and invited me to join her on Thursday night. This is all I have to say about the show (okay I confess if you talked to me I'll have a lot more to say), it was ...

FANTASTIC!!!

Worth every penny!

Here's my photo of the concert (the one above I pulled off the www...

This weekend...soccer tournament. (Update on tournament: lost but they won the shootout!)

Contemplating Psalms 143...

When I would read this psalms I would think of "enemies" in the physical sense not in what my "enemies" are. Today I thought of it in relation to me. My "enemies" are not of the physical kind but of the emotional/spiritual kind, and they can "crush me to the ground" and make "my spirit grow faint within me." But as Samual spoke in his sermon today "Victory over your enemies can not be achieved unless you start with God." And therefore even though I find the rest of this psalm to be a scary prayer ("Teach me to do your will" my knees shake thinking of the ways that God could "teach" me) it is also a very powerful prayer.

"Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For your names sake, O Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble,
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
Destory all my foes, for I am your servant."

Spiritual Potluck...

Bob made a comment during his sermon along the line that if we are worshipping and praising God during the week, you come to the corporate worship more excited and joyfilled. Then he alluded to it being like a potluck - how we bring different "dishes" of praise and worship that we all get to partake in.

Today I felt like a brought diluted koolaid.

But you know, other's brought main dishes, some brought side dishes and some brought the all important desserts! And with fellowshipping and worshipping with each other, you end up partaking in everything that people brought. So even though I came with diluted koolaid - I had some main dishes (seeing people's strong faithful faith, the choice of song during communion), I had some side dishes (sharing, encouraging words) and dessert which is always my favorite (hugs from friends, laughter, joy).

So my koolaid doesn't feel quite so diluted anymore.

I am thankful for the safety of being allowed to be honest at church, for hugs from friends, for a husband that bbq'ed supper, for a daughter that cleaned the bathroom, cool breezes, still quiet house, and an ever patient and faithful God.

Letting your soul catch up...

Excerpt from "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World"...

"The story is told of a migrant South African tribe that regularly went on long marches. Day after day they would tramp the roads. But then, all of a sudden, they would stop walking and make camp for a couple of days. When asked why they stopped, the tribe explained that they needed the time of rest so that their souls could catch up with them.

Isn't that a great concept? Letting your soul catch up. When I read this little story, it resonated deep within me. I can get to running so fast that I leave everything behind. Not just God. Not just people. I can lose my own soul as well."

hmm...maybe that's what's wrong - my soul is so far back I can't see it anymore...hoping that my holidays in July gives my soul a chance to catch up because I'm really missing it. Camping without tv, without the computer, without the phone - just me, my books and God's creation to remind me what an awesome God he is.

So your busy - you're not the only one so suck it up!!

I had planned on blogging about how last week I felt so overwhelmed and busy at work, and stressed from some personal issues (which were a result of my own character flaws); how I had a wonderfully busy but relaxing weekend that helped destress me - only to come back to work today and by end of day feel overwhelmed all over again...

But then as I walked home I started to think...

Really Heather, you are not the only one - everyone is busy these days. Yeah your busy, yeah you feel overwhelmed but hey you have a job, and you are challenged instead of being bored, and you have a lot to blessed about. So instead of writing a pity me blog I decided to change my attitude and look at the blessings instead:

1. I am blessed to have a fulltime job that pays well and job security.
2. I am blessed to have a job I enjoy.
3. I am blessed to have a job that challenges me, improves my organizational skills, problem solving skills, communication skills and teaches me how to priorize duties .
4. I am blessed to have a job that I feel supported in and where we can still laugh.
5. I am blessed to have a boss that I can go to and say "The furniture is arriving today, I'm in an all day meeting - can you deal with it?" and he does...without complaint.
6. I am blessed to have staff that are open to me delegating work to, who I know will do it and do it correctly.
7. I am blessed to have a job where people appreciate what you do and tell you.
8. I am blessed to have a job that helps me learn to roll with the punches, be flexible, and how to think fast on my feet.
9. I am blessed to have 2 beautiful daughters that make me laugh, proud and are independent enough to bike to soccer practice (and is improving on the skill of communication so I know where she is). And who don't mind starving once in a while because I haven't had time to get groceries.
10. I am blessed to have a husband who is interactive with the kids, takes them to soccer games, helps them get their camping equipment together, teases them and loves them.
11. I am blessed to have a dad that drives with me to Regina so I don't have to drive by myself, and will even drive across town twice to make sure he does.

ahhhhh....already I'm feeling destressed...though it could be that the house is empty, quiet, half decently clean and I have nothing to do but get groceries... :-)

My baby's growing up.....into a young lady.

This time last year it was "There is no way I'm wearing a dress to grad."

Not only is she wearing a dress to grad but we have had to go looking for the perfect shoe, the perfect necklace and a hair appointment to have her hair done the day of her grad.

Yesterday she bought (with her own money) a skirt and wore it to school today. She looks cute in it.

Today she got her ears pierced.

As we drove by her elementary school I realized that this is the last year for any of my kids to go to that school, I no longer will have a reason to enter the school doors. After both of my daughters going through the school from Kindergarten to Grade 8 - it's going to feel weird that neither of them attends that school anymore.

Listening: to Dr. Phil in the background
Reading: Just started The Year of Our War, still reading Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.
Feeling: a touch tired from driving Kristie back to school but really loving the weather!

10k Walking Marathon - 1 hour and 48 minutes later...

...we crossed the finish line with a bunch of joggers that were most likely finishing the 1/2 marathon. We were not the last walkers for the 10k - close mind you - BUT not the last.

The marathon is over and now we have a year to train for the next one. Yes, we had so much fun we thought we would try again. I had a couple of goals for this marathon (besides actually doing it), was to do it under 2 hours and during the marathon it was to pass the lady in front of us. We did both - though I think we past the lady only because she stopped to get a stone out of her shoe.

Maybe if we hadn't visited so much, laughed so much, talked to the volunteers along the way, joked about having a motorcyle escort - we might have been faster but we wouldn't have had so much fun - so I'm glad we did it the way we did.

No pictures of us crossing the finishing line -unfortunately our family and friends chose to sleep in instead of cheering us on. But no hurt feelings about that - I would have probably done the same in their shoes! Getting up at 5:30am was sure hard!

It was great experience and I'm really glad I did it, especially with my dear friend Arlene.

Reading: The book of Romans, One Good Knight and still reading Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.
Looking forward to: July holidays and my stack of books to read during my holidays
Feeling: Annoyed

God sent a baby to comfort me…

Woke up this morning to a Happy Mothers Day email from my niece. She wanted to share from a book she had read and here is the excerpt she sent me.

“For there will come a time when the lucky child who felt enough to weep then will at last be able to smile and say ’Remember when mommy read me those stories, remember when she danced, remember when she made my costume.’ When the friend who thought she would never recover from grief, when the husband or wife who thought his own life was over, will cease to cry, will be able to take pleasure in saying: ‘Remember how she used to lean her head back when she laughed?’ ‘Remember how he loved to garden, out there way past the last frost’? ‘Remember when she cut all her hair off and was so sorry?’ “

Daniel paused, a long pause. His voice when he spoke again, was soft, nearly a whisper. “And feel the pleasure in having her there again. In bringing him back to life for those moments. A new life. Truly a life after death.”

His face seemed to tighten. “Because if metaphor is one of the ways we have left to approach God, to begin to understand faith, memory itself is a living metaphor for the eternal life.” He paused, then slowly said, “Loss brings pain. Yes. But pain triggers memory. And memory is a kind of new birth, within each of us. And it is that new birth after long pain, that resurrection – in memory - that, to our surprise, perhaps, comforts us.

“It comforts us. And that comfort-and even joy-the comfort that rises within each us by the grace of God: that comfort teaches us something, here on earth, about eternal life. It makes us all feel something we can believe in about its promise.”

“In this world, God gives us pain. But He gives us memory, too, to change that pain to laughter, to joy. To bring the dead back into our lives. To comfort us. To make us understand, by this living metaphor, His tender power… “

I confess I was preoccupied by other things Sunday morning to stop and think about my mom that is until our minister said a prayer to and about mothers. Mentioning people who had lost their mothers made the emotions of my lose swell up in me again and a few tears to my eyes. But the good Lord had arranged for me to sit behind Monica and Linaya. I was originally headed for a seat next to Ruby but Sarah asked if we could sit with Bev and Nicole in the back row so that is where we ended up – right behind Monica and Linaya. At the end of the prayer when I was trying to control my emotions and thinking I wasn’t going to be able to, I looked up into Linaya’s big eyes, her big smile and giggle, and her fingers pointed at me. How could I cry when there was this beautiful baby smiling at me? So I wiped the tears from my eyes and smiled back.

It reminds me of how much my mom loved babies, holding them, talking to them, and memories of mom holding my daughters as babies. I remember the time my brother brought a new baby into the house and announced he was the father. While the rest of us stood there with our jaws on the floor, mom just picked up Kyle, talked and played with him.

Yes, there does come a time when we smile and laugh at the memories instead of cry. When the memories of the past with mom over rides the memories of when she died. I won’t say I’m totally there but I’m getting there.

DRESSES!

There is a store in Lawson Heights mall that is now my favorite dress store. Any time my daughters need a dress that is the first store we are going to. Why you might ask? Even if you didn't I'm about to tell you...

Kristie needs a dress for the winter banquet - we hit every store in the city with no luck. Finally end up at Lawson Heights - go into this store, 2nd dress she tries on is THE DRESS. Not the "I guess it will do because there is nothing else and we are running out of time" but THE DRESS. She loves everything about it. I'm excited, she's excited, high fives in the dresses room, smiles as we leave the store.

Sarah needs a dress for grad. We hit every store at the Midtown (and I mean every store, every dress). Props to Sarah for trying on all those dresses. Found nothing, and I mean nothing. I'm starting to pray to God please let us find a dress she likes that looks good on her. Happened to be by Lawson Heights - hit every store - found one that was a "well if I can't find anything else". Finally go into the store mentioned above. Guess what? Yes we found THE DRESS. She loves it, loves the color - high fives in the dressing room. Mom tells the young lady at the till how much she loves this store - we leave with smiles. Thank you Lord!!

On a personal note I love my sister. For my birthday gift she came over on Friday and cleaned up, put in some good dirt, and fertlized my flower beds. Put in a yellow rose bush (I love rose bushes), some other plants and left me with some other ones for my flower pots. I've had little to no motivation to do this so it was one of the best birthday gifts I've ever received!!

I love my friends, that endured a cold Friday night to watch my daughters soccer game. The team lost but I think it was because they were so busy trying to stay warm that it was hard to concentrate on actually playing the game LOL Next late night game, I'm packing a sleeping bag to keep me warm!

And...I'm blogging from home ... it worked today for some reason, don't know why, don't care, just glad it worked....

Listening to my daughter wish me a Happy Mothers Day.

Soccer and Walking:

The youngest is in outdoor soccer again this spring. Been several practices which have given me the time to go walking for the hour. The route I walk when she is at practice is about 5k and I do it in just under an hour - which is really good for this couch potato...still having shin problems with the one leg which totally annoys me and doesn't make the walking all that fun for the first 1/2 hour.

First soccer game was last night - why is it that the parents always have to sit on the side which looks into the sun? Must remember to bring hat next time.

Anyhoo, they WON. Sarah did some awesome goalie save in the 2nd half, some great stealing from the other team (during the 1st half when she played defense) - heck she even ran down one girl and stole the ball from her. Mother and Father were most proud! (oh... just to clarify I don't mean she ran "over" the other girl, just caught up and got in front and stole the ball...). The team did some great passing, lots of kicks at goal, stealing the ball, etc etc.... Next game this Friday.

Reading: The book of Acts; Having a Mary heart in a Martha World.
Listening: to another Canadian Idol and 3 Days Grace on my daugthers Ipod (I finally got my own playlist on it - hee hee)
Computer: Still can't log unto blogspot from home - bummer!

Unable to blog from home:

We had to wipe our hard drive at home and since then my stupid computer won't let me log into my blog to post ... sob sob sob.

So until I can figure out how to do that (I am posting from work computer during the lunch break) I won't be posting for a bit; unless I have some really brillant thought that I feel inclined to send to my work address in an email to post at work, or finally get the home computer to let me login.

If anyone knows what my problem might be (ie computer not letting me login not a personal problem!) and has some suggestions, I would love to hear them.

On a personal quick note - youngest is off to camp for 3 days which means just me and the hubby ... wait.... just realized I might have time now that Sarah is off the computer to actually spend time trying to fix the problem WOW!! or I just may use the time to go walking...

Committed and Learning:

For those that I haven't told, and to really make it a reality for myself, I am announcing on this blog that a good friend and myself have committed ourselves to...

**drum roll**

... a 10k walking marathon at the end of May, on my anniversary infact.

I need external motivations to keep up this walking, and so this is one way to be externally motivated. I like the picture that I posted because I wish that is how I felt when I walk but I've already started to be bored by the whole walking thing. It's just that I need a destination when I walk, even when walking the dog I need to know where I'm headed. Aimlessly walking around my neighbourhood is not a good motivation for me. Listening to my youngest daugthers music on her Ipod - while it's educational to learn what she is listening to these days - it's not my kind of walking music. On the flip side walking along the riverbank with my friend, was much more enjoyable. Now that I could do everyday. Walking when it's sunny out - is also something that is much more enjoyable. Spending time in prayer makes it more enjoyable too. Thank you Lord for the sunshine and warm weather, oh and the good friends you have given me.

Tending the sick and trying not to get sick =

not very much walking. Sarah has been sick most of the week and I've been home with her. Which for me means my body is trying to get sick too, with my low immune system I usually get sick when my kids are sick. I can tell my body wants to but so far I've been able to hold it off. I've been reluctant to do much walking incase I wear myself down and I haven't been walking to work. Well I did today, only to be there for less than 15 minutes before I got a call saying I'm sick again, headache, sore throat, where's the drugs, yadda yadda. 45 minutes later, I'm walking back home.

....just got interrupted because KRISTIE IS HOME. Must go and hug her a gazillion times...

PS Sarah's team won their championship game - 2 overtimes, and a kick off later!

Interesting Videos and Life:

Life has been kinda busy. Oldest home over the weekend, youngest had a birthday and a party which involved 10 young teenage girls doing a sleepover in our basement and watching scary movies. Surprisingly I actually got some sleep that night. Surfing the blogs I came across this site www.godtube.com and this video.




Other than that I've been doing lots of walking still, walking to work and in the evenings. Clothes are feeling a touch looser. I'm thinking I need to give myself a reward in order to keep up the motivation...

Another Use for Blogs:

Oldest daughter needed a screen shot from a movie I have for a poem she wrote. Oldest daugther lives in another city. I took the picture, downloaded and tried to email it to her by pasting pictures into a Word document. Hotmail account does not allow her to open attachments...Hotmail account doesn't allow her to copy pictures from message....MSN would not allow transfer of files... What do we do? She is starting to feel desparate...

Youngest daughter suggests posting it to my blog and having her copy it from there...it works!!

What a brilliant daughter I have!!

PS lastest report card 81% in 3 of her classes, 75% in the other, lots of Exceedings. She even ate the salad I made tonight without a lot of complaining.

My response to Choc O Late's letter (see the comment on March 13 post):

Dear Choc O Late:

Thank you for your letter, and I apologize deeply for hurting your feelings.

You have been there for me in the past and for that I thank you - unfortunately you have been there for me a little too much and too often (just ask my hips).

My other problem, dear friend, is that I can not control myself when I am around you. I can not control myself to only enjoy your company in small quantities and to only enjoy your dark side. I love all your flavors (well maybe not the white so much).

For those reasons, I must resist you for now.

Since we have spent a lot of time together, you know I will indulge in your company again. At some point my will power will break or my hips will shrink and I will return to you (hopefully in small quantities as you suggested).

Until we meet again,

Heather

Hallucinations and Yoga...

This week I've been trying to not have chocolate....very much. Still doing the walking to work, treadmill at home, exercises, etc. Unfortunately the chocolate thing is a hard one for me.

In the staff lounge we have a box filled with chocolate bars that you can buy. Every time I turned to listen or talk to the person on my right, the box and all those delicious chocolate bars were in my line of vision. I left the staff lounge early.

On the way back to my office I stopped at the nurses office to tell him I had a medical concern. I think I'm hallucinating...I swear I can hear those chocolate bars calling my name...really I'm sure I could. He suggested some psych drugs (so supportive!). I left empty handed and still craving but we had a good laugh.

Tonight still desperately craving...only thing stopping me from going to the store is that I have no gas in my car and if I go to the store for a chocolate bar I will need to pick up milk (we have none in the house) and a few other items...I'm too bloody tired to walk back with a load of groceries.

I still think I can hear them them calling my name...must leave all my money at home tomorrow.

I have this Yoga book called Yoga for Wimps - for the the flexible challenged. Turns out I'm wimpier than a wimp... oh bother.

So what am I thankful for...that my daughter is coming home Thursday for the weekend and my husband has a reason to be in Regina that day, so he can bring her home; I have Friday off to spend with my daughters; it's sunny and the snow is melting; walking to and from work is getting easier - even with the ice, slush and water; technology that allows me to talk to my sister who lives thousands of miles away; my patient God; friends, family; love; hugs and kisses; and a blue sky.

Nothing Much Happening…

So nothing much to blog about …

But I will comment on a couple of things that have happened lately…

1. Mammograms are not as painful or uncomfortable as previously reported by others. I’ve been more uncomfortable just bending over to tie my shoes.

2. Weekends with no kids and hubby away a lot = relaxing, recharging, do what I want to weekends.

3. I’d rather have another mammogram than do stomach crunches, etc but stomach crunches I will continue to do… bluh…

4 When you start swinging your arm on the treadmill, ensure they don’t yank out the safety cord as they are swinging by and bring the machine to a full stop!! Ouch…

5. I love my family. No particular reason, I just do

What has God done for you this week?

Well I’ll tell you what He did for me. He reminded me again that He can bring good out of bad…

I had a co-worker that was diagnosed with cancer last fall. She was given 6-12 months to live. My prayers for her since then (and I’m sure many others) was that each day she would grow closer to God, that she feel His love wrapped around her each day and that she finds kindness and compassion in the nurses/doctor that look after her.

At her memorial service yesterday, it was wonderful to hear how God had answered those prayers. Marianne talked about how this co-worker (D) had started out feeling that God was a judgmental God. But over the months, through conversations, etc she learned and came to believe that she was God’s Beloved and in turn she wanted others to hear this message. She found her strength and acceptance of her illness through His love for her and from being His Beloved. D told Marianne of her experience when she was having a CAT scan. How she was scared and then she realized that God was in the room with her and he was wearing a golf shirt that had a pocket in it. And she was in that pocket. This image sustained her through her last months, the knowledge that she was in God’s “pocket”.

D’s daughter at the end of service, spoke about her mom and also to thank people for all that they had done. She thanked the nurses who had given her mom such compassionate and loving care. It was a wonderful memorial service that was indeed a celebration of her life. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by all.

Pedometer Challenge Week 4...

Okay, I ended last week with an average of 5k a day - 20% of that menas I need to average 6k a day this week. In order to try and acheive that (since there was no soccer games/practices) was to start to walk to work. Yep -30 and I decide to walk to work.

40lbs of outerwear later...

The one thing about having to wear so much to keep me warm is that I'm getting more of a workout and after you strip all those pieces off you feel soooo much lighter (okay I'm was trying to see the upside of it all).

By end of week I think I was down to about 10lbs of outerwear.

The interesting things was this weekend I was motivated to take the dog out for a walk since I seem to be missing my daily walks. We went for a really long walk today since it was so nice out.

It's been nice to have Kristie home for these few days and catch up on her news. She is really enjoying going to Western, thank you Lord for that.

Watching: Season 1 of Supernatural and Roswell

Breathing Places...

Was reminded of my mother the other day. When I was leaving the bank, I held the door open for an elderly lady and her daughter. The way the lady shuffled and her lost sounding voice to her daughter reminded me so much of my mom. I admit I cried a few tears on the way to Shoppers.

At Breakforth one of the speakers talked about how sad we are when we lose a loved one. We see their last breath on this earth but we don’t see their “next” breath. Their next breath in the presence of God.

I witnessed my mom’s last breath on this earth. Her struggle to breath, being in pain earlier in the evening before the drugs kicked in. I wish I could have witnessed her “next” breath. Oh how glorious it must have been.

Deep… whole… painless…

A breath that included her eyes opening and seeing the face of God.

A breath of freedom…a breath of joy.

Nothing much to say...

Just missing my daughter but glad she is doing so well, and is very happy at Western. Had fun watching Sarah's soccer game on Thursday night (they won).

Week 3 of the Pedometer Challenge:
I'm doing too good this week - going to be hard to top it ... so I've been not overly active today and don't plan on being active tomorrow :-) Went to Sarah's practice at the soccer centre and walked around the track the whole hour, walked to the bank, walked to the high school and around the high school for Sarah's open school night. I'm up to doing 1 k in 23 minutes on the treadmill - woo hoo!!

Pedomoeter Challenge...

At work the Wellness Committee has started a Pedometer Challenge. Those that wanted to be part of the challenge get a pedometer, sign up for a team (youth or adult - I'm on the "adult" team). First week you do your regular routine to get your "baseline" and then for the next 5 weeks you try to increase it by 20%. You also get bonus points for making healthier choices. They post the scores by team (not individuals), the team that increases the most overall "wins". I've discovered this is a good motivator for me - easy to let myself down but I don't want to let my team down.

Week 1 (baseline week)
Unfortunately was the week I went to Breakforth - lots of walking - more than I usually do. So I ended up with a 3.2 kl average for the week (thank the Lord for the driving days) Now that may not seem like a lot but I have a desk job so not a whole lot of walking at work.

Week 2...
First day was the drive to Regina - which meant car rides and sitting at my mother in laws table visiting. When we got home at 9:00 I did go on the treadmill for 15 minutes. But even with that my pedometer only said about 1.5 (I'm thinking the pedometer might not have been working all that well - well that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). So not only do I have to increase by 20% but I have to make up for Monday!

The team motivation has worked - I've been on the treadmill everyday when I get home. I'm aiming to be able to do it for 30 minutes and do at least 2k. Right now it's 15 - 20 minutes and around .8 k. I have walked to the grocery store, walked to the bank for work, chosen healthier foods to buy and danced with my daughter one night. I am hoping that once it's not so cold that I will walk to work at least 2 to 3 times a week. My average this week so far is 3.5k - an improvement but not 20%. But thats okay cause I'm impressed that I've done the treadmill everyday.

I'm thankful for this challenge that might actually help me get more physically in shape and maybe get me into a physical activity habit. Thankful for the $4 long sleeve t-shirts I found today. I'm thankful the groundhog didn't see his shadow. Thankful that I finally got letters written to all my siblings.