June

And here we are at the end of June, celebrating the close of another school year.  

Of course I never came back and finished up May's blog post so I'll try to give a small update.  In May, my body continued to experience a worsening arthritic flare-up as I waited to get in to see a doctor. I went to the ER once and while it helped in some ways, I learned that they cannot give cortisone.  

Near the end of May I was using a toilet riser, a grab bar in the bathtub and was barely walking even with the use of a walker.  I was so thankful for all of that equipment.  

God provided abundantly and I was able to see a new doctor on May 29.  He drained my two knees and injected cortisone into my knees.  This was perfect timing as it enabled me to prepare for and celebrate Lily-Anna and Graham's birthdays.  

Now, onto June.  I had thought that this procedure would leave me feeling great.  It took about a week for my knees to get back to 100% and then I think I had about four days of feeling really good and then I was experiencing pains again.  I had these pains before my appointment but I had thought they were just due to how my body needed to compensate with my knees so swollen.  The pain was in my thighs, groin, lower back, and clavicle/neck/shoulder area.  After googling these symptoms and remembering things my mother has told me about her pain in the past, I realized that these feelings were due to arthritis in the left hip and in the sternoclavicular joint (a joint I did not know existed).  

I need to start new medicine but after my doctor's appointment, Lily-Anna and I tested positive for strep which meant I needed to take antibiotics for ten days.  Then it was recommended that I have a Covid booster shot as my new medicine will suppress my immune system to some extent.  After doing that, I read that it may be best to wait 14 days before starting the new medicine in order to get maximum immunity to Covid.  So, that's where I am now.  I will start the new medicine in a little over a week and it apparently takes 6-8 weeks until it shows its full effects.  I took this medicine a few years ago and it seemed to work for me then.

Graham and I enjoyed a delicious anniversary dinner at the Keg

Thankfully my hip is feeling a lot better.  My left hand remains a little swollen at all times and my clavicle area usually has some issues.  Pain in my foot, hands, back, and hip comes and goes.  So, that's the story at the moment.  I'm headed in the right direction and so thankful for how God and my family, friends, and church have helped me and prayed for me.  Graham has certainly picked up my slack and done a great job.  He wisely asked Isaac to make his own lunches from now on and he hasn't complained.

Sadly, I can't play with my kids the way they would like to play such as throwing the football or baseball or playing soccer.  The youngest two and I will miss out on strawberry picking, though my in-laws blessed us with some delicious fresh strawberries.  I'm also unable to volunteer for VBS.  I'm not complaining.  I am SO thankful that I can walk.  When Lily-Anna had strep throat I was just so thankful that I was able to take her to see the doctor and care for her because a few days earlier I would not have been able to do so.  

I went for a physio assessment last week and have some exercises to help.  I last went to see him when Isaac was a baby so I was glad to find him.  

I'm praying that the transition to this medicine goes well.  I'm not a big fan of injecting strong chemicals into my body.  However, I am going to try to focus on thanking God for the drug and for the ability to walk and play with my children as I inject it.  

As always, we finished the school year with both Graham and me picking up the kids from school and heading to the store that makes slushies.  Actually, this year both Isaac and I went to the bakery for a cake pop instead.  This time just Graham and Lily-Anna walked home in the heat and the rest of us drove.

The kids are happy to be on summer vacation.  Isaac received an ORMTA Award of Recognition from his music teacher, Kohen completed his Music for Young Children program, and Lily-Anna auditioned and played the piano in a primary talent show at school.  Isaac also enjoyed playing the trumpet in an Honour Band in May and Kohen received his next belt in Karate.  

Today, at the end of our second day of summer vacation, Lily-Anna has now thrown up four times.  She's in good spirits and feeling quite a lot better.  Hopefully she's finished.  She and Kohen were spinning a lot at a playground this afternoon and were in the hot sun so I'm not sure if that contributed to this or not.  The rest of us are feeling good so far thankfully.

It was a joy to see my Auntie Celia this month visiting from England.  I miss her living here but I am thankful she can be near my cousin, her daughter (Happy birthday Natasha!).  

Lily-Anna followed the directions from a Youtube video

It's time to say goodnight.  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 62:7

On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

     

Great is Thy Faithfulness in May

 

Playing a birthday game from the kids

Happy 50th birthday to my love! 

As usual, I don't write much on May 31st as it is Graham's birthday.   I have a whole lot to write though as it has been quite the month.  God's blessings are ever abundant, during storms and sunshine.  Sleep is one of those wonderful blessings and that is where I am going.  

To be continued soon ...

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 100:5

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Au Revoir April

April has come and gone yet again.  This may be short as I know I need sleep.  

It was lovely to celebrate Easter weekend with both sides of the family, including Graham's aunt and uncle who flew in from Alberta.  My generous neices even bought a bunch of chocolate and candy for an egg hunt they organized for their younger cousins.  They also had a little hunt at home and I was quite proud of myself.  This was the first year I thought to take pictures of the places I hid the treats.  We definitely referred to the photos.  The kids have so much fun with their cousins.  

We saw Lily-Anna in a class play

We also enjoyed a few days of warm and hot summer weather and then returned to winter temperatures.  With this rainy weekend, I think we are back to spring.  I've been enjoying looking at all the beautiful daffodils when I am out and about.

Isaac liked McMaster's campus

I've had an arthritis flare-up which I think is due to prolonged attacking of ice after the last ice storm.  It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying being outside and being helpful and I felt great ... until a few days later.  

It's gotten progressively worse since then and my recent bloodwork just confirmed that I have a lot of inflammation in my body, though I just need to look at my big knees to tell me that.  I am hoping to get my knees drained and get some cortisone and then probably start on a stronger drug.  Thankfully some days are better than others.  I haven't had to take medicine for years.  The prescription I am currently taking expired a while ago (I won't admit how long ago) but it runs out this week.  

I know some people assume I am in a lot of pain but that's not exactly the case.  There is extra pain if I accidentally hit a joint that is swollen but it's more about stiffness, limited mobility, tiredness at times, and the up and down emotional toll of not knowing how you are going to feel when you wake up in the morning and knowing you can't do all the things you want to do like getting into Lily-Anna's fort today or playing catch or soccer with the kids.  It's the not-knowing how much to stay off your feet and how much to move around to keep the joints loose.  It's wanting to be useful and to contribute and not give others more work.  

Lily-Anna's devotional today included verse 31 from Isaiah 40: "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  I am thankful our good God "does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength." (Isaiah 40:28b-29)  I am thankful that God is always with me and is fully trustworthy.

We celebrated Josiah's birthday (he would have turned 11 had he lived) with McDonalds (remembering the blessing of Ronald McDonald Houses), flowers at the grave, and cake.  Kohen helped me out this year by telling me to choose a cake with orange on it.  We also went to see the Harlem Globetrotters, surprising the kids.  

I had to have two old fillings replaced this month and I must say that my dentist was amazing.  I didn't even need to flinch for the freezing.  She put the gel on and then added just a little freezing until it took hold and then she added the rest of the freezing but at that point I didn't feel anything.

Isaac started volunteering with preschoolers every other Sunday at our church.  He loves it.  

It's time to say goodnight.  

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Isaiah 40:11
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.    

Marvelous March

It looks like March is going out like a lamb this year, at least in terms of the weather.  It's 7 degrees outside, but it looks like there may be lightning at 2:00 am.  Hopefully everyone here will be sound asleep.

I've had kids home from school for a number of days ... and I'm typing with a box of Kleenex close at hand while drinking warm tea.  I need to head to bed so this may be short.

Banana-cucumber taco anyone?

On Lily-Anna's first day home sick, she took two umbrellas and lots of blankets and made a fort in the living room.  We had sleeping bags and pillows and blankets so we could snuggle in the fort.  She wanted to put all of the lights off in the house and close the front curtains, and I read to her by flashlight.  Then we made mint tea and had a picnic of leftover lettuce, some fresh basil, and muffins from Grandma, all by the light of a plastic lantern and my phone.  I questioned her choice of lettuce but she was spot on.

Speaking of being, "spot on" ... Lily-Anna has taken to regularly speaking with an English accent.  I don't think she does this at school but she did do this with me at the store today.  

We began the month with Welsh cakes in honour of St. David's Day and my maternal grandfather's birthplace.  At some point we had daffodils as well, my mother's favourite flower and the national flower of Wales.

The next day I went to The Airway Clinic at St. Mary's Hospital for a lung test as I have had ongoing and intermittent shortness of breath since I had Covid in January.  The test showed some restricted airflow but my chest x-ray came back clear.  I think it has improved since January - or perhaps I am more used to it so it is somewhat less disconcerting ... but effortless breathing is certainly a gift.  I'm yawning more often as that gives me a whole breath and I sigh more as that seems to be the sound I make in relief when I am able to have a full breath (during times when I am having shortness of breath).  

We had a few highlights this month but the first was certainly celebrating Kohen's ninth birthday!  A few of his friends came over to celebrate with laser guns, pizza, and cake ... and fun in the snow due to a well-timed snowstorm.  We also celebrated with extended family on his actual birthday.

Morning gift opening

We attended a Festival of Arts at Isaac's school and heard his band perform two pieces.  He started playing the trumpet this year and has greatly improved since October.  The gym was packed and it was the school's first big event since pre-Covid.  It felt great to be there.  

March Break was fun.  We were blessed to see Graham's brother Craig who was visiting from B.C.  Isaac took the train to Ottawa with two of his cousins to go and spend time with his other cousins (and his aunt and uncle).  They had a great time.  Kohen and Lily-Anna enjoyed visiting both sets of grandparents and going to Bingemans FunWorx for hours of play.  After Isaac returned, Graham and the boys went to Ctrl V (Kohen has been looking forward to going there for a long time) and Lily-Anna and I went to a craft program at the library followed up by a walk by the creek with a short "picnic" followed by a bakery treat.  The next day we thoroughly enjoyed the show at Medieval Times (our knight won the competition) and we stayed at a hotel with a pool that night and enjoyed the breakfast in the morning.  We were also able to pick up a couple of Ikea shelves during the trip.  We capped off a great week by celebrating Grandma Betty's birthday with an ice cream cake.

Kohen also tested and received his red belt with a stripe in karate.

Graham, Isaac, and I have enjoyed watching the Chosen.  We'll finish the third season tomorrow.  Oh yes, Isaac will have his first volunteer shift in the preschool Sunday school room this weekend.  I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

I've also had an arthritis flareup this month so I'm a little slower these days.  

It's definitely time to say goodnight.  Bonne nuit!

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Psalm 18:30

This God--His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

February Fun and Frustrations

Celebrating after the spelling bee

I'm a little distracted right now but it is time to say good-bye to another February.  

It's quiet and everyone has gone to bed and my own pillow is calling but I'm still thinking about an email I received earlier today.  I don't want to rehash the entire story but basically our 20-year-old rusty metal basketball pole was damaged in December so that it is no longer usable (unless you want to shoot baskets into a leaning net).  I've been trying to get either the company who caused the damage or the company who hired the workers who caused the damage to take responsibility and make our old pole straight again (we're not asking for a new pole).  The former company refuses to admit they had anything to do with this even though they had massive machines on our yard and were digging with a small excavator right beside the pole.  The latter company answers their phone, listens to me, gives me a case number and then never calls.  After receiving my third case number I asked to speak with a manager but they refused to speak with me as I am not their customer.  

The email I received today was not helpful and I was getting riled up so I knew I should read my Bible and talk to God.  I wanted an easy answer as to whether or not I should just walk away and move on and not become bitter, or, to keep trying to get justice.  I'm amused by the parable that was in the chapter I was reading in Luke.  It was the parable of the persistent widow in which a widow keeps going to a judge and asking for justice.  It says that even though the judge neither feared God nor respected man, the judge said, "Because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming." (verse 5)  Of course my first thought was that I need to be persistent in my call for justice concerning the basketball pole.  

However, upon my second look at the verses I see that the message of the parable to Jesus' listeners is that "they ought always to pray and not lose heart." (verse 1) and that God gives "justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night." (verse 7)  So, it's not quite as clear as I thought.  Clearly I need to pray and ask for wisdom about next steps.  My natural tendency is to fight for justice and to have a basketball pole that my kids can use and to not be out a bunch of money for something that we did not cause ... but on the other hand would I be more like Jesus if I just forgave and walked away?  Actually, this may be an interesting question to ask the kids and see what they think.

Isaac came second at the Inaugural Waterloo Regional Spelling Bee.  He is a great speller and hopes to be able to participate again next year.  He also took part in the Coldest Night of the Year event this past Saturday with members of his youth group.  We're going to try to all walk it next year.  I've asked a friend to pressure me.  Lily-Anna wanted to walk too but we didn't make it happen.

I'm just looking at my calendar to see what happened in February.  Wow - Valentine's Day seems like it was a long time ago.  I was able to continue my tradition of taking out each of the kids separately for a Valentine's treat on three separate days.  They all chose to go to Starbucks for a hot chocolate and cake pop.  Yum!  Cake pops are so good! 

Treats dropped off by a friend!

Kohen, Graham, and Isaac were sick this month (Lily-Anna had it first at the end of January).  Sadly, Graham and Isaac had to miss a concert when Graham was sick and then Isaac missed Valentine's activities at school when he was sick.  We are all healthy now, PTL!

Baking on the snow day

Well, I still have a little shortness of breath but it has decreased since I had Covid in January.  I'm going for some sort of lung test this week to check things out.   I do have an inhaler but I haven't chosen to use it as it hasn't been too bad.

Odometer: 222222

My church has a program for young adults and part of the program is to match them with a "sponsor" (someone to listen, encourage and pray).  Graham was a sponsor to a young man and I've met a young woman a couple of times.  What a privilege to be part of her life right now.  

Playing at the park

My kids opened some new books on Family Day.  They were originally a surprise Christmas gift to find and open after all the other gifts were opened but I forgot about them.  Then I left three wrapped books on the lowest shelf in their room but they never found them so after a month I hid them in my room to wait for Family Day.  Christian children's books are one of my favourite things to buy and there are many amazing ones, especially picture books.  

Kohen is counting the days until his birthday this weekend.  He's going to be 9 years old!!!  Wow!

It's time for bed!

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Happy 2023!!!

Happy New Year!

I'm happy to say that there is lots of snow outside.  I'm not a huge fan of being cold but if I'm going to be cold outside (given that it's January in southwestern Ontario), there might as well be snow for the kids to play in and to bring more beauty to this part of the world.  Who doesn't like looking at a snowman on a yard?  Those who shovel the snow may think differently and I certainly would prefer if snow did not fall on driveways.

We awoke on New Year's Day in Listowel and enjoyed some ebelskivers in the late morning.  We drove back home on the 2nd as Lily-Anna had a birthday party to attend.  The last weekend before school started was spent with my side of the family as my brother and his family from Ottawa were visiting.  We went skating at a rink which once again confirmed that I am unable to skate without my feet being in pain.  I bought new skates a few years ago so I think the problem is just my feet.  It's unfortunate because I would otherwise enjoy it.  Thankfully I can go sledding without my feet hurting.

Speaking of sledding, we like to go to a local hill not too far from us.  The City is looking into possibly putting a stormwater pond in the same area which could result in this hill disappearing.  This past Saturday and this afternoon, City employees gave out hot chocolate and answered questions and listened to concerns.  I took Isaac on Saturday and Lily-Anna came with me tonight.  I'm often not interested in a lot of civic issues but this one struck a chord.  There is now an online petition to save the hill.  The City has said they are listening and that the Engineers will be coming up with four different proposals to be voted on.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  While Isaac still wants a hill, he also said it would be nice to have a pond and that students at the adjacent school could go there for nature studies.  

My first attempt at a bun

Kohen is taking a karate class on Saturdays again.  He has his red belt.  Lily-Anna is enjoying her first dance class.  She learns some ballet and jazz on alternating weeks.  

Covid struck again.  Two of us tested positive and two of the kids had symptoms but tested negative.  We were all home together for five days.  Thankfully Graham remained healthy.  That was a big answer to prayer.  Another answer to prayer was that Isaac was able to do his Level 6 piano exam.  If his symptoms had started two days later, he wouldn't have been able to participate and he may not have been able to have another exam booked until June as the April registrations had already closed.  He worked really hard preparing for the exam so I'm so thankful he was able to do it.  

New mug holders

Interestingly, ten days before the exam, we were informed that Isaac would have to wear a mask for the exam due to a new policy at the venue (a church).  I react quickly to things I do not think are just.  It didn't seem fair to me as he hadn't practiced with a mask and other people taking exams at other sites would not have to wear a mask.  Of course, due to post-Covid rules, Isaac had to wear a mask anyway.  At that point I didn't care about the mask, I was just thrilled that he could play.  Actually, Isaac never seemed bothered when he found out he would have to wear a mask.  He is far less reactive than his mother, thankfully.  I have learned to test my reactions though.  I emailed his piano teacher to see if I was overreacting.  She is far too kind to tell me that point blank.

Isaac found out tonight that he received First Class Honours on his practical examination.  He was happy.  Congratulations Isaac!!!

This was my second time with Covid.  The symptoms were quite mild but after most symptoms were gone, I noticed that I had shortness of breath.  It's definitely disconcerting to feel that you cannot get a full breath and that you are not getting enough oxygen.  The doctor gave me a steroid inhaler to use for 14 days and it should also help me get rid of my cough.  I've needed to use the same inhaler twice in the last year to help me get rid of a cough.  I think the medicine is working and I am grateful.  

Isaac went snow tubing for the first time this past weekend with his youth group.  He loved it.  Isaac is currently busy as a bee.  He is preparing for the regional spelling bee on February 11.  He won his class spelling bee and then he received first place in grade 7 at his school so he advanced to the regionals.  There are so many words to study!  It's fun but tiring.   

The Women's Bible Study I attend started up again last Thursday.  I was excited to see everyone.  Unfortunately I couldn't stay very long as Lily-Anna became sick at home.  The first time Graham called, Lily-Anna said she just wanted to hear my voice and that I didn't need to come home.  She asked if there would be a time for prayer requests during out meeting and asked if the group could pray for her.  I said I would make her request.  Graham called a second time after she started throwing up again and he still needed to get Kohen to bed.  I'm glad I was able to give her some cuddles before she went back to sleep.  She's good at knowing when she needs to be sick and usually makes it to one kind of a bowl or another.  

Lily-Anna's Bible Memory Verse

Our Bible Study is looking at a video series about how to study the Bible.  Our Church is also having a sermon series along with Bible Engagement opportunities on Psalm 119 which focuses on delighting in the law of God.  My mother-in-law was just on a podcast sharing how she studies the Bible.  Here's the link for the podcast.  I just saw a great post by Wendy Speake challenging people to read their Bibles.  She writes, "We are a generation of consumers who never learned to consume God's Word.  We scroll through our phones and scour our cabinets, hungry for something to satisfy, but nothing we find there ever does.  We were made for more.  We were made for God.  And our Bibles are where we find Him.  Only in our Bibles will we find the help, hope, and healing we're desperate for."  I also started a new devotional called Fighting Words by Ellie Holcomb which focuses on different verses to cling to and memorize.  I want to grow and everything around me is pointing to the Word.

Time for sleep.  (Sorry it was a slow photo month.)

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 119:18

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."