Filling in the Gap

So here we go again....I know, I KNOW it's been a while since updating but that's my life. Where do I start? The last entry was about Dennis and his kidney's, the gardens and summer coming. And now it's fall, kids are back to school and life continues to whiz by with no concern for the fact that I'd like things to SLOW DOWN.
Well, so, summer! The kids all attended some summer camps at the local YMCA. They enjoyed it and I tried to do it so they weren't all gone at once so I could (selfishly)spend some time with them doing something special. Throw into the mix now that Mishel decided to drive out for a visit with her five in August and I'm not sure where that month went! It was great fun having her here and seeing the eight cousins enjoying each others company. We had great fun at the beach (Mitchell's Bay) one day,only one minor problem when we told them they had to stick together...nobody in the water alone...next thing we know we see this group out further than anyone else (including adults). As I attempted to run/swim/yell at them to come in a short moment of panic when I realized the #'s didn't add up to kids in the water and WHERE are the two missing ones? Brief scan of swimmers closer pin pointed the two with greeat relief that I would not have to scan under water looking for bodies! (I think this might have been where Mishel's kids got to see me at my finest moment of calm and love as they all...my kids included...got a minor speach about water safety and using their brians) Or where once again there was miscommunication....telling them all to get in. They all reached the shoreline and waited as I helped drag in the last one (who did have a lifejacket on)until I got there and then clarified that they didn't have to get out but that we had to set boundaries for how far out they were permitted to go. All went well after that! They enjoyed the mud fight they had, the clay application some of them gave themselves and of course collecting shells.
Now in the mix too we were having a deck installed which was supposed to be ready for Tanners Birthday party...well lets just say we were rained out anyhow so I guess having it completted 4 weeks later was okay! NOT. His birthday was still good, he loved that his cousins were here and I have to say so did I.
September brought school, new teachers, and routine! We also started to reno our main bath (the only shower/bath we have) and just as we had that underway we took in a teenage nephew for a week (no wait that turned into two weeks). Poor guy not able to shower daily and having to be taken to a strangers house to shower every other day. It took a bit but now that we're into Oct. things are going pretty well. Now we just have to add into the mix Tanner's hockey practices and games. McKalyn is doing ballet twice a week and LOVES it! Miss Sarah is taking piano lessons and so far says she likes it.
As for the bathroom reno. well it's just about there. We had issues with the plumbing (leaks) and the guy that did the tile missed cutting the hole for the shower head pipe in the right place so we aren't able to attatch the shower head yet (hope he can fix it). They broke too many tiles cutting the ones for the shower so I've had to order more. So there's one missing in the shower that they have to some back and do. Then when we went to install the vanity countertop we opened it to find it was cracked right in half on the one side (it's a marble sink/countertop all in one) SO we had to exchange that...then when we went to install the drain for the sink, the new vanity is taller so we didn't have a long enough piece of pipe! That's okay though because I can see what it will look like once it's done and I love it. Once it's all together I'll attempt to get pictures for you all.
I'm hoping now that I'll be able to find some tile to finally do the kitchen backsplash. I kind of want to try and do it myself and surprise Dennis. Other than that there's painting that I'd like to do to freshen up the house since we haven't done anything to it since we did the work to move in over 3 years ago. Actually the next major project will be the family room...I want that ugly panelling GONE.
So now that I've filled the gap between then and now I hope you're happy to know that I'm still alive and well and looking forward to being able to complete the few tasks still at hand so I have more time to update more often.(with pictures).

Rare? Different ...yep!

Short and sweet! My husband is a "rare" case! This is what the Dr. told him after his latest test. Apparently his problem, (with his kidneys) he's had since birth! hee hee hee...we always knew he was a little different! They aren't going to do surgery due to the fact that it may make things worse and because it doesn't seem to bother him and he's in no pain they're going to leave well enough alone. Not so sure how I feel about that but Dennis doesn't want to go for a second opinion so that's that! Between the two kidneys he has the equivalent of one fully functioning kidney so I guess that'll do.

As for the rest of life...well the veggie garden is 90% planted, flowerbeds 75% done and thoughts of summer fun are there!

So I'll leave you with a random thought: why is it that male and female Blue Jays aren't so easy to tell apart? (We have a nest in our lilac bush)

Something Different about SPRING

Spring has finally arrived and the sun is a welcome friend. I have to say that I love spring and the things that it brings. Flowers, gardening, fresh rain and more outdoor time.

I was able to spend 2 weeks this year in Florida, with my family, in March and I have to admit that it was so uplifting to be able to have warm sunny days everyday we were there. It was just what I needed after such a long winter this year. Before we left I felt so tired and depressed of the constant gray sky and white snow that most mornings I didn't even want to look outside, let alone get out of bed! So with Spring in the air now and what spring means (at least to me), I am thrilled to be out and about. Gardening, walking/running, reorganizing and just plain old getting things done.

Now I'm sure you're wondering why I'm writing such a BORING blog....well truth be told I'm just not that good at telling funny stories or posting fun pictures(gotta take the fun pictures first). So as I see from my followers, my blog is more or less a way for me to just be. I can write whatever and nobody is going to be to excited or disappointed! Does that make it right? Shouldn't I want to make this blog better? Shouldn't I want to do more, be more and contribute more to others? Well spring into action if you can and let me know. I'm up for something new...a CHALLENGE! And maybe this is what it'll be. A fabulous blog about things that others what to know....you ask the question and I'll research and post my findings!

To be honest I think I need a bit of a distraction something else to think about. My husband has been going through some medical testing because they've found that he only has one working kidney right now and they are trying to figure out why. The Dr. would like to see if they can't get the kidney that has shrunken back to working order but aren't sure yet if that is possible....hence the testing. It's also possible that it's a genetic thing and if so they'll be wanting to test the kids. I try not to think about it too much because we are doing what we can and the Doctor has been very good at getting this done quickly. So we just keep praying. Of course this all came as a shock and that's just the way life is. So we do our best and hope for the best and know that it'll all be okay. The sun is shining and we are blessed.

WELCOME SPRING!

My Own Glass House

So I must confess something....(don't worry it's nothing bad). I've always been the kind of person to be spontaneous and not really have a "plan". I'd see something I thought looked like fun and would do it, often starting and maybe not finishing. I'd go places without planning ahead you know kind of just went where the wind blew me. Though I've survived and made out okay this far I've realize the consequence of my past behavior. Yikes!
I catch myself all the time just doing things because...not really because they have a purpose or because it's something I should or need to be doing, but just because. I know this isn't what I should be doing and I see that my kids are following in my footsteps which has me terrified for them. I know we all need to learn from our mistakes and we aren't perfect and because of this knowledge that I have I'm trying harder to not do some of these things. What I do today DOES matter! SHOULD matter! And WILL make a difference! I think if I can keep that in mind life will be so much easier! And of course by easier I mean I'll be challenged daily, every minute and THAT is what I want so I can grow.
Now I'm not saying that I'm never going to be spontaneous or never going to try new things that I think look fun, yummy, cool or beautiful. It just means I'm going to plan better, love & laugh more and think before I do. I'm going to independently think for myself what is right for me and my family.
~I Love Growing Up ~

Purpose

February is the month known for LOVE! (and my birthday). So I just thought I'd share some thoughts..................

I love that in life things come and go. I LOVE that with that we grow...or at least have the opportunity to grow with these things. I LOVE that we ask for help and give help too. Life is such a happy occassion with little bumps(some see as huge) to help us pay closer attention to what we are supposed to.

I LOVE that we all have a purpose...whether realized or not. I LOVE that we are given the chance to try and try and try again until we get it right or realize it's just not THAT important so stop wasting your time. I LOVE that we are never alone. I LOVE that there is always someone looking out for us. I LOVE that music is available everywhere(just stop and listen). I LOVE the sound of siblings playing and talking to each other about what matters to them. I LOVE seeing children walking hand in hand. I LOVE that I know who I am and where I am going. I LOVE that you are who you are and that you're a part of my life.

I LOVE that I can laugh at myself and cry with others. I LOVE that we are all on this journey called LIFE where we can give purpose and meaning to others who may feel they have not got any purpose. Let's help LOVE one another and build each other up and give meaningful purpose to all. After all doesn't it feel nice when you feel YOU HAVE A PURPOSE. Allow yourself to LOVE and BE LOVED.