Pain is a great reminder that we're not in control. I don't have severe pain but it doesn't take a lot of pain for me to be a little more emotional. It helped me to cry a little tonight as I thought about Josiah's pains throughout his life. He had various pains but I thought about his suctioning and taping and retaping when he was intubated. Thank you Jesus that he never had to be intubated again after he came home. I am thankful he is free from pain.
Kohen on the other hand is not free from pain. I think he might be my permanently 'skinned knee' boy. I don't recall Isaac getting skinned knees! Kohen bounces back quickly. He had minor bleeding at least twice last Thursday (not counting knees) but it didn't stop him for long. His motto when he is with his mother: Why walk when you can run? Why run when you can climb? Why not yell?
Kohen has now lived longer than Josiah. We reached that milestone last week. I found a pair of size 2 pyjamas for Kohen in a bin of Isaac's old clothes. Isaac saw them and told Kohen that there was also a pair of baseball and dinosaur pyjamas but that he probably wouldn't wear the dinosaur ones because there was a hole in the toe. I was a little surprised and skeptical as Isaac has not worn size 2 pjs in a long time but the next day I looked in the bin and found the dinosaur pyjamas with the hole. Josiah never wore pjs that large. Isaac still tells us that he uses his 'picture maker' to take a picture of something and puts it in his brain. I wish I had his memory.
We were at a birthday party last week and when we were leaving, a young friend of Isaac's asked Isaac which car was ours. There were a number of shiny large SUVs around as well as nice large cars. I love that Isaac pointed at our Tercel and said, "That blue car, the fancy one." When I mentioned it to Graham, he told me the background story. He and Isaac had gone to the carwash and then Graham told Isaac, "When Mommy sees the car, she's going to say, 'Look at the fancy car!'"
Isaac has started learning soccer with friends of ours. He enjoys it and it's fun to watch him kick the ball. I do need to remember my camera. Kohen just hangs out with me and the other moms but both boys have worn their Ireland jerseys proudly.
Isaac put a pile of books in the hallway the other morning and said he wanted to give them to other children around the world so that they could learn about Jesus. I haven't figured out how to facilitate this request yet.
I need wisdom in weaning Kohen (first from me and then from his soother). Isaac weaned himself easily and Josiah didn't have an option so I'm new to this. Kohen is not very interested in milk other than mine and he loves to nurse. I like nursing him too but it's taking a toll on my body.
Graham and I each celebrated birthdays this month. I don't look forward to birthdays in the same way. We each visited the cemetery on our birthdays.
Our most exciting news is that we just bought a new mattress for our bed. I am looking forward to getting in and out of the bed without it squeaking and we hope it helps with our sleep.
I must sign off.
Thank you for your prayers.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I trust you all enjoyed a wonderful Easter celebration. It's hard to believe Easter happened in this month as it seems like a long time ago. I'm thankful for Jesus' death and resurrection as that is why I have hope today.
Christ doesn't just give me hope for a better future, He gives me new life now. I'm offered the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). I have an advocate in Heaven interceding for me. Jesus showed me how to live, the Bible tells me how to live, and the Holy Spirit reminds me. Jesus shows me that the God of the universe loves me unconditionally and desires me with His unquenchable love. Amazing.
I am slightly disappointed that we didn't get Easter cards checked off our to-do list. That means we'll be doing Christmas cards this year.
We celebrated Josiah's birthday by going to a hotel with the boys and going swimming. We returned home the evening of his birthday so I ran out to get a cake from the store as I didn't have time to make one. I knew the exact cake that I wanted. Except, when I went to get it, the whole endeavour became very stressful for me. All of a sudden it became very important to get the right cake for a little boy's birthday (as opposed to the cake that would be delicious for me to eat). There were tears as I asked them to put Josiah's name on the cake. I'm always thankful for any unsolicited tears.
I don't have many tears but I think three evidences of my grief are my anger (often inside my head), my current obsession with something I "need" to buy (for example, pizza stones), and my eating of junk.
Last week at the women's Bible study I attend, I was able to share about God's amazing faithfulness throughout our Josiah journey. It was very easy to make a huge list of all the blessings God brought our way and how He cared for us and prepared us so perfectly from before we knew that Josiah would have problems. I'm not sure how many people know all the ways God prepared us so I'll have to write about that one day.
Isaac attended his first Blue Jays baseball game. He and Graham travelled there with many others from our church. I wasn't ready to take a one year old to the Skydome so Kohen and I hung out at home.
Kohen finally had a new tooth today. He's had six teeth for months. Thus far he hasn't seemed to get too upset when he's been teething. We finally took Kohen for his first haircut last Saturday. He was well overdue for a cut.
I'm really enjoyed meeting weekly with our Bible study group in our home. I love that our ages span from the twenties to the eighties. We also have a relatively new Christian who asks wonderful questions and four people were born in other countries. We all bring our different ideas and experiences to the table as we discuss the Word of God. We're studying Philippians and being challenged to live a life of humility and service, like Christ.
Isaac and I have been enjoying doing some science experiments. It's quite to fun to watch an Ivory soap bar expand in the microwave. Our big soap cloud was then fun to play with at bath time.
Kohen is enjoying the library program that we attend. It is a different experience from when I attended with Isaac. Isaac would be happy to sit in my lap. Kohen is a boy on the move. Kohen loves to climb. He'll climb onto chairs and then want to climb on the table. He takes his toys and stands on them to help him climb onto other things. He has now had his first trip to the ER. Thankfully he was fine after a fall. I was actually in and out of the hospital in an hour and we had such a lovely doctor.
It's been fun seeing Kohen learn some signs like please, thank-you, and more. He has the softest, smoothest cheeks and a joyous smile. He loves to be outside and gets excited if he sees a bird. He is also Mr. Drama who throws his head back when his plans are foiled by his parents.
I'm currently wishing that I had a degree in Child Discipline. Enabling people to procreate must be one of God's key strategies for getting people to realize that they don't have a clue and need His wisdom. At least it's working that way for me.
It's time to think about my bed. Thank you for your prayers. I'll add photos another day.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Well, it's that time again - the last evening of the month - so it's time to capture some memories before the clock strikes midnight.
It was fun to have family over for Kohen's first birthday in early March. It was so nice to have extra space in the basement for kids to play. I often thank God for the basement as I walk down the stairs. Friends even blessed us with a train table that they no longer wanted. Isaac was very excited by the surprise.
Isaac at the sugar shack
Last Friday night we started sleep training Kohen. Since that time I haven't fed him at night and I've been able to stay in bed all night as Graham has gone in to him when he's cried. We used the Ferber method this time and it seems to be working very well. It amazes me how quickly the brain figures things out. I suppose I will soon start to fully wean Kohen, though I enjoy nursing him. I often think of Josiah when I'm nursing as I nurse in the chair where I rocked Josiah.
Isaac and I had a fun time visiting his Grandpa F.'s sugar shack. We helped collect sap and then watched it boil and be put into jars. It was a nice adventure.
Isaac told me that Chippy and Skippy send him an email every night while he's sleeping, to tell him things that he doesn't know. For example, one email apparently told him how to get inside of walls. They told him to use a chainsaw. I told him he was too young to use a chainsaw as it's dangerous, but he thought he had a toy one that would work. Isaac made out of construction paper a "Bubble Thought Machine" that he can use to send bubble thoughts to me when he is inside a wall. He thought he could send out the message, "Is dinner ready?" and he told me that I write down the answer and send it back through the wall.
Isaac's drawing of his trains
One afternoon I told Isaac what I'd learned at the Bible study I'd attended that morning. I then asked him what he'd learned at school. He said, "I think Mrs. ___ and Ms. ___ love God." I asked him why he thought that and he answered, "When they sing O Canada, they say, 'God keep our land.'" Sadly, I needed to explain to Isaac that not everyone who sings the anthem actually loves God.
"In Chippy and Skippy World they don't run out of bananas. Jesus gives more."'
I was explaining to Isaac one day that some people do not have doctors. Isaac told me, "Jesus could be their doctor."
In the washroom Isaac said, "I wish we were all in Heaven." I asked him, "Why?" He responded, "Because we could all have fun together with Josiah."
I was happy to hear from one of Isaac's Sunday School teachers that after they spoke about King Josiah, Isaac put up his hand and told that class that he had a brother Josiah.
We started a weekly Bible study in our home so it's nice to be doing that again. We're studying the book of Philippians.
I remembered that I went through a phase in elementary school of reading what I called "dying books." Someone had either died or was dying or getting a disease, etc. I thought I'd try to read them to help me cry. I'm happy to say that it actually worked. In the first book I just cried for the character but in the second book I was able to cry for Josiah.
I also recently watched a documentary that reminded me of the power of music. I thought I'd search for some sad classical music to help me access my emotions. It didn't work while trying to do the dishes but it might help if I'm able to be by myself. Perhaps I'll try it during Kohen's nap. However, I came across a Youtube video of an Ode to Joy Flashmob that I'd previously seen and that brought tears and thoughts. "Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love ... Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!" I haven't figured out the right words, to say what I want to say but ... it's awesome to serve a God who is bigger than my son dying; a God who is in control and always worthy of adoration, praise and worship ... even when He didn't intercede to save my son. I serve a God who loves me and sees the whole picture and He asks me to trust Him and love Him come what may. Who would want to serve a lesser god?
Kohen likes to climb!
Kohen is a very loud sweetheart. He discovers things that Isaac never cared about. Almost all of the plants have now left our home. I called Poison Control the other day because Kohen ate some of a plant. Later that day he knocked over a lamp and glass went everywhere. I am very thankful that no one was hurt. I was reading some posts from his first few weeks which reminded me that he was loud from the beginning. Isaac sometimes puts his hands over his ears and says, "No! That's too loud Kohen!"
Thank you for your prayers!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Philippians 1:9-11 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Graham returns to work on Monday as his parental leave has come to an end. Kohen is going to be surprised Monday morning when I put him in his snowsuit instead of putting him down for his nap. As always, God had perfect timing for Graham to be off. Kohen has been sick and on antibiotics three times during Graham's time at home so it's been very helpful to let him sleep instead of taking him out.
Graham and Isaac had a Daddy-son date today. They saw the Three Musical Pigs put on by the KW Symphony. Isaac's going to miss spending the extra time with Graham. He's already asked if he can go with Graham to work.
Putting shelves together
Graham is looking forward to going back to work. I think he needs a break! He has spent hours painting our basement this past month and putting shelves together and moving boxes. We are excited to have a usable basement (almost).
Some Isaac moments to keep me laughing when I'm old:
A washroom conversation with Mommy:
Isaac: Can you ask God to tell me who my wife will be?
Mommy: I don't think He'll tell us.
Isaac: Why not?
Mommy: Surprises are fun.
Isaac: Can she please tickle our children?
Mommy: [I prayed that Isaac's future wife will tickle their children ... and a host of other things.]
A washroom conversation with Daddy:
Isaac: What do you think I'm going to be when I grow up?
Daddy: Whatever you want to be.
Isaac: Whatever God wants me to be.
As Graham parked the car at school to drop off Isaac in -25 degree weather:
Isaac: Let's pretend we're under a shady tree eating ice cream.
At the kitchen table with Mommy:
Isaac: When will Josiah come down? Maybe we can ask Jesus to bring him down.
Kohen is enjoying his new mobility. He always gravitates towards whatever is off limits. He is Mr. Drama and throws his head back with loud protests whenever we impede his desired outcome. I have figured out that he is a cat. He is cuddly and lovely with the softest cheeks and he's sweet and cute ... and he'll swipe his claws at your face with speed and accuracy and make noises that must cause the neighbours to wonder what is going on. He is usually loud and often very playful. He throws his food and our rebukes or turning his chair to face away from the table is initially met with his laughter.
It's hard to believe but we are celebrating Kohen's first birthday this week. The day after he'll receive the gift of three needles at his doctor's office. I'm so thankful for our medical system. If I had a medical concern right now, I could call a number and speak with a nurse (as I did last week when Kohen's temperature was 104 degrees).
Graham and I will be hosting a Bible study in our home, starting in a few weeks. We are looking forward to it.
My computer is not making happy sounds, so I'll say goodnight. I may have to add photos later. Thanks for your prayers!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
1 Chronicles 16:11
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always.
Well, January has flown by. Yesterday, Kohen took his first few steps without holding onto anything. It's exciting to watch our boys grow and develop.
I have another month of Isaac conversations. I hope he enjoys reading these when he's older. I know I will enjoy remembering. Isaac seems to have turned some sort of corner. A couple of weeks ago both his school teachers and his Sunday school teachers told us that we have a chatterbox (who still listens attentively). He's also been chatting with workers helping us renovate our basement as well as store employees. We've known for a long time that he's talkative but it's nice that he's comfortable sharing that part of himself in other environments.
We keep our bathroom door closed as Kohen will head straight for the bathtub and toilet any time the door is open. Isaac knows to check if anyone is in the washroom before entering. One day I just went into the washroom to get something. When I returned to the kitchen Isaac said, "Mommy, when you go in the bathroom, you really should knock. I think Chippy was in there." I answered, "I didn't see him." Isaac responded, "He was in there." (Chippy is the chipmunk in the Chippy and Skippy stories that Graham tells Isaac.)
***
I saw Isaac sitting on the couch one morning, looking at Josiah's photo across the room. He said, "I'm just remembering."
***
I was cuddling with Isaac and Kohen on the chair in Kohen's room. I said, "You are lovely boys." Isaac replied, "I think Kohen is the loveliest."
***
At the breakfast table one morning we were listening to some music and I was commenting on some of the lyrics. Isaac told me, "Mommy, when I was only two, on one of my apps on Daddy's iPod, Jesus said we didn't have to worry about anything."
***
Isaac often likes to whisper things in our ears. Graham, Isaac, and I were going to go ice skating one afternoon. Isaac asked to whisper in my ear and told me, "Actually I'm not going." I let him know that he was going. He said, "When I was little I couldn't say the word 'actually' but now I can." (He went skating.)
***
Mommy: Isaac, did you say good morning to Jesus this morning?
Isaac: Maybe just Josiah.
Mommy: Do you say good morning to Josiah every morning?
Isaac: Yes.
***
Graham often uses the analogy of carrying heavy luggage to
explain to Isaac why some things are too old for him. Tonight Graham
told Isaac he needed to preview something first to make sure it would be
appropriate for Isaac to watch. He again brought up the idea of luggage being too heavy for Isaac
to carry. Isaac told Graham that sometimes little boys can push the
heavy luggage on wheels.
***
Sleeping at Grandma and Grandpa's house
While in the car on the way to Grandma and Grandpa Lucas' home, Isaac said he wanted to sleep over at their house. I said we would need to ask them when a good night would be for him to sleep over and plan it. He said, "Maybe they'll say tonight is a good night." As you can see from the photo, the conversation went just as Isaac hoped it would.
***
I'm enjoying listening to the group Rend Collective. I liked what one member of the group said on an online video I watched:
"Recently we made a theological breakthrough as a community and it has changed everything about our approach. We realized that seriousness is not a fruit of the Spirit but joy is. We come with a gospel worth celebrating before a celebrating King and we think our response as worshipers should be obvious. ... We need to get down to the serious business of joy because the joy of the Lord is our strength. And after all, heaven's going to be the greatest party of all time and we need to start practicing now. So don't get caught up in your guilt or failure. You are forgiven. You are free and you're worth more to God than you can ever imagine."
It seems completely impossible that Josiah wasn't here this time last year. I actually stop and think and calculate the dates to convince myself that it's really been as long as it's been since I held him. Time with Josiah seemed to expand in some ways. It doesn't seem like we've had Kohen very long and yet so much had happened in Josiah's life by the time he was 11 months old and in a few months Kohen will be the same age as Josiah was when he passed away.
I facilitated at a Bible study last week and I was reminded of how much I enjoy that. It causes me to dig a little deeper in the Bible and I get more excited about the material. Part of the lesson was on submission in marriage. Some people are put off by that word but I think it's an incredibly powerful and beautiful idea and ideal. Its implementation is usually flawed due to human error but the potential in choosing to serve another and putting them first, out of love, is an amazing picture.
We will soon be able to use our basement for something other than storage. Graham and I are both very excited to move most of the toys downstairs. It would be so nice if it could be finished by the end of February but that will depend on when the carpet arrives. Graham was busy painting today.
Thank you for your prayers!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
2014 is drawing to a close. I don't mind saying good-bye to it; I am hopeful for good things in 2015. Graham, Isaac, and I wrote down some things we're thankful for this past year. The arrival of Kohen was on all of our lists. Isaac also said he was thankful for "having such a nice world."
Isaac appreciates beauty. On his walks to school with Graham he often brings up beauty in nature. A few weeks ago he told Graham, "I like the beauty of our footprints in the snow." Today he told me that Josiah likes the beauty of heaven. I'm sure he does.
I'll just get my Isaac stories out of the way. He told Graham one night, "Jesus is confusing. He's God and God's son."
On a walk to the park with Kohen and me, Isaac said, "When I was little and I didn't know where Heaven was I thought it was in the tops of the trees. I looked up but I didn't see Josiah."
As I read in the book, "Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic, I often talk to Isaac about the need to control his horse (his emotions, which are a gift from God that he needs to control or they will sometimes take him off the trail and down a cliff. When they do this, it is then Mommy and Daddy's job to bring the rider back onto the trail and control the horse until the rider is able to do so himself). I'm never sure how much Isaac takes in but one day I was apologizing to him for getting upset with him. He asked me, "Mommy, why did your horse go off the cliff?"
In late November we went to a memorial event in Toronto put on by SickKids. It was nice to see a few familiar faces. Actually there was another family there who had lost their baby Josiah. The mom spoke and shared her story at the event and she and her family gifted every family in attendance with a book called "Tear Soup: A recipe for healing after loss." I appreciated reading it. I asked one of the bereavement nurses about any signs that would indicate that we should get Isaac some help with his grieving. She said if he became obsessed with Josiah's death and wasn't able to think about anything else but she said that's very rare and he should be fine as long as he's allowed to talk about it whenever he wants. So, we have no worries about Isaac.
After the memorial we stayed at a hotel with a pool so we could swim with the boys and the next day we went to the church where the people whom I stayed with (when I was awaiting Josiah's birth) pastor. It was great to see them again. We ended our weekend by going to the Riverdale Farm.
One of the first things Isaac talked about on Christmas morning was Josiah. We were all in the same room at my brother's home near Ottawa so it was a lovely way to start the morning. He showed me an "acorn" that he had made and told me that Chester Raccoon kept an acorn to remember his friend the squirrel who had died (whose name I have forgotten). Actually, it was kind of funny that we ended up in a McDonalds for part of Christmas Eve as the church service we went to was too full and everything else was closed. McDonalds feels like a connection to Josiah because of Ronald McDonald House.
There is a new Ronald McDonald Family Room at SickKids where parents can go and grab a free drink or rest on a recliner in a low-lit room. I've seen photos of this beautiful space. I can't fully express what an incredible blessing that space must be to parents with children at SickKids. It would have been amazing if that had been there. I was so happy to hear that it was there.
In early December we went to the Coping Centre Christmas Memorial. Isaac actually brought it up much earlier and said we should go. It was nice to see people we knew and to put Josiah's ornament on the Christmas tree outside. They have a theme each year and this year they talked about mosaics. I love the idea of broken pieces turning into something beautiful. It has made me want to make mosaics. Hopefully I'll do that one day.
I bought skates today. We bought some for Isaac and Graham a couple of weeks ago so they have been out a few times. I'm hoping I can figure out how to remain on my feet. It's been a long time since I've attempted to skate.
We had a lovely Christmas. I was hoping to cry again at a Christmas service but of course I couldn't re-create last year. The service did seem like a gift from God though. The pastor spoke about how many people don't feel the joy of Christmas and then someone from the congregation shared how she's lost her mother this past year and yet God has helped her through this time. Obviously my thoughts went to Josiah and it was nice to be able to naturally direct my thoughts to him during the service.
I often think about Josiah when I'm nursing Kohen. I'll miss that when Kohen's finished nursing. I haven't looked back to check but Kohen may be roughly the same weight as Josiah.
I've realized that I have quite a bit of anger in me. I assume it's related to my grief. It's not that I sit around feeling anger but when there's anything to trigger my anger, I know it's in greater supply than it would normally be.
It was wonderful to see my cousin from Switzerland this week as well as my aunt and uncle. I also received a lovely call from a relative overseas who wanted to know how I was doing. Our family is certainly a blessing.
Apart from the anger, I'm actually singing more than usual around the house. I make up random songs all the time, usually when the boys are around. I was actually starting to annoy myself with all my singing.
I have fear. I wonder if I'll get to keep these two beautiful boys. I may be slightly depressed as I feel inept and incompetent in most ways that I can think of. I know God's grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Kohen is the people-person of the family. He rarely feeds when he wakes up the morning as he can hear Graham or Isaac and wants out of his room. I was trying to feed him in the parked car on our way home from Ottawa but he kept wanting to sit up and was waving to strangers. He's also a mover. Usually whenever he wakes up I hear him banging his legs in the crib before I hear him start to cry. It's seems like he can say something that sounds like bye-bye when he waves and "clap-clap" when he claps.
We all have a cold here. It feels like it's been a long week with lots of long nights. We've had sickness in our home once a month for various durations.
It's time to say good-night. I pray that this Faulkner family will know, love, serve, and obey Jesus more in 2015. Thank you for your prayers! Happy New Year!
Graham bought me Rend Collective's The Art of Celebration. Here's Finally Free:
Oh, to live in the freedom that Christ's blood has brought. One day. I'm ever thankful for grace and mercy.
May God "create ... something beautiful in me." (Rend Collective, Create in Me)
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Ephesians 3:19-21
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Isaac has been talking about Josiah a lot lately. He wants to see him again. He wants to tell him funny stories and songs. He's woken up crying. We've looked at some photos and videos of the boys together. A couple of times he has brought Josiah's photo to the kitchen table to be there during our meal.
I recently read an article about grieving children. It explained that children continue to process the death as they age. They often ask the same question over and over. They grieve in short bursts but it continues for many years.
Last week I asked Isaac if he wanted to know what happened when Josiah died. I told him about the moments from when we woke up to Josiah crying to when Isaac came to see him at the hospital after he passed away. I also told him about the dream that Josiah's nurse had before he woke up on the morning of Josiah's death and explained how it was a gift of God to remind us that God is in control. At the end of the dream, a stranger takes Josiah away in his stroller and Michael, our nurse, can't find Josiah. Isaac became upset about the stranger but I told him that in the dream he represented an angel coming to take Josiah to Heaven and that I thought he whispered something like, "Josiah, you're about to see Jesus." and so Josiah was happy to go with him and didn't cry at all in the dream. We were both a little teary eyed so Isaac wanted a cuddle after we chatted. I told him he could ask about the story whenever he wanted. He asked for it two other times later that day.
Isaac enjoys playing with Kohen. Kohen is eight and a half months old and is thoroughly enjoying being able to crawl and pull himself up to stand and take steps while holding onto things. He is most attracted to the bathroom, cords and outlets, unstable chairs and sharp edges on tables. He is keeping us on our toes. He is not a good night-sleeper yet (he wakes up to eat more than once) but he naps well and goes down well. He's a lovely baby with beautiful smiles. He is similar to Isaac in that he is an observer but he certainly doesn't want to sit still. He is our first baby with eyes that have changed colour from blue to grey. He is a sweetheart -- even when sick. I love his facial expressions.
Graham is home on a parental leave. It's been perfect timing as Kohen has been sick with a cold and ear infection. Graham has been walking Isaac to school in
the mornings which has allowed me to nurse Kohen and put him down for his nap. Isaac has been enjoying all the snow.
Graham might be missing work a little. He asked me how I managed to get dinner on the table each night. The boys can be tiring! I actually went to my Bible Study this morning without a baby or a stroller or diaper bag and toys. It felt lovely! What an incredible blessing this is. We can now both volunteer in Isaac's classroom. Graham is going in tomorrow morning. We're alternating which one of us goes in each week for about an hour. Isaac likes having us there and it's nice to get to know his classmates.
We've been enjoying Isaac's little stories and random lines:
"I have 10 children. They have to line up to brush their teeth."
***
Isaac told us a story while we were eating dinner. He told us that he lived next door to our home with his wife. Their home was one mile away.
Isaac: "In the spring and summer I come and visit every day.
Mommy: Why not in the fall and winter?
Isaac: It would be cold and frosty."
Mommy: Well, what's another way we could communicate?
Isaac: (Thinking ...) You could visit me.
Mommy: Maybe Daddy could drive me.
Isaac: You can walk, we just live next door.
Mommy: But it's one mile away and very cold.
Isaac: It will be fine.
Isaac continues his story and tells us that he is Farmer Joe (who also happens to be a police officer and a fire fighter).
Isaac: My brother's name is Isaac and I have one sister.
Mommy: What's your sister's name?
Isaac: I don't remember.
Mommy: Do you love her?
Isaac: Yes.
Mommy: You need to remember the names of the people you love.
Isaac: I did twenty things today so that's why I forgot.
***
Isaac made this girl from his trainset
Mommy: Guess what we're having for dinner.
Isaac: What?
Mommy: Chicken.
Isaac: Yeay! That's my favourite type of fish!
***
A few days prior to this next conversation, Graham had told Isaac about ROYGBIV (the sequence of colours in a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). On this evening a few days later, while Isaac was getting ready for bed he told Graham, "I call it ROYGBIP. I say purple, not violet."
***
"I'm going to wear this shirt that you like but I don't like yet."
***
"I'm proud Daddy's my daddy."
***
"My favourite liquid is syrup. What's a liquid?"
***
"It's not the same without Josiah."
***
Sadly, my iPod died. I assume the battery died. It reset itself so everything on it was lost. It gave me ample warning but I thought I had more time. I would have copied down the many alarms that I had listed and used when Josiah was alive. I also had notes that I'd taken at the hospital that I would have liked to keep. My use of the iPod was very connected with Josiah. At the hospital I could read on it while pumping milk. At home I used the flashlight app all the time when I went in to check Josiah at night and give him drugs or his feed. Oh well.
Isaac enjoyed going to the polling station in October in order to watch us vote. He went with me and then later he showed Graham where to go. He liked helping Graham rake up the leaves in our yard. We've been trying to pick up some new fruits and vegetables when we see them at the store. We've liked persimmons and dragonfruit. It's fun to research with Isaac to find out how to eat them (thanks to YouTube). We also recently discovered a great and fun way to get the pomegranate seeds out of the peel by banging on it with a wooden spoon - very efficient.
I stumbled across the band, "Rend Collective" somehow a few weeks ago while on the Internet. Graham informed me that we sing one of their songs at church. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered that they are from Northern Ireland! I really like a lot of the songs but here is Joy:
Thank you for your prayers!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Micah 6:8 (our 'H' memory verse)
He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require
of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with
your God?
