Sunday, August 30, 2009

Closer to the Big Day

Today, was Nicole's day! Something that all mother's look forward to and dream about (next to their wedding and birth of their children). Breanne (one bridesmaid) and Leah (another bridesmaid) helped put on Nicole's wedding shower today. It was marvelous with almost 30 ladies there. A big thank you to all my dear friends that brought some wonderful food to help with the celebration (after all a women's get-together always goes well with food)! Nicole was literally moved to tears with some of her gifts and seeing some of the ladies there. We had invited a lady Patti, (her daughter and mother-in-law)- Patti was Nicole's babysitter when we moved to Calgary many years ago. Nicole has stayed in touch with the family but she never thought about us putting them on the shower invite list. So what a pleasant surprise for her.
I got to meet Nicole's mother-in-law to be, and what a nice lady. This lady is afraid of groups and has a phobia so it was nice to meet her and tell her that it's okay if she can't come into the room...she did, after her daughter arrived. She also told me that Nicole has been a special gift in her life for all that she has done to help her over come her phobia. As well, Nicole called her mom for the first time yesterday, when she put on a surprise 60th birthday dinner at her house. She said that no one has ever done that for her...now there's a warm, fuzzy feeling of good will towards a person that needs to be cared for. I know my daughter and I know that these kind gestures come from her heart and in wanting to help someone in need.
So I've got one big event done and a couple more to do before this year is finished. I know that with God on my side, good friends that care about me, my loving and supportive husband, that I can get through a couple more events. I love my children dearly and no one or nobody will take away the joys that I will be celebrating with them. I stand my ground in my beliefs as well I stand before anyone that dares to question these decisions. I believe that I am a deep,caring, supportive person for anyone that I encounter and all I ask is for the same respect.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Anyone Got Another Daytimer?

Okay, the title might be a give away as to what is going on in our lives. Between 3 babies due this fall; 3 close family members with cancer; planning 1 wedding & 1 (sad) funeral; going to a couple of weddings; bridal showers; baby showers....I don't think there is enough pages in my current day timer. I'm excited about the grand babies as I have been able to help with 3 nurseries (if you count the one in our house - okay not a full nursery, but a crib with all the trimmings). But Todd & Michelle are expecting and I think that after having had 2 other babies, they don't require my help with decorating.
So Jack went to Saskatoon last night (I fly out tonight) to spend a couple days with his boys. I went to Breanne & Marc's place to wash walls & blinds so that we could apply decals to her nursery. The theme is "Girl Safari" and she has all kinds of elephants, giraffe's, hippos' and they are all in a mauve, pink safari color...quite awesome. Nicole & Cecil did their theme in the traditional Winnie the Pooh (took after my theme) and have a beautiful light green walls, so that their "son" isn't overwhelmed with a lot of blue. These babies will be well taken care of as well a whole lot of love to be given.
Saskatoon will be a quick trip for us to each spend time with our families. I plan to spend most of Friday (6 hours) at the Cancer clinic visiting with my dad as he undergoes his third round of chemo. My mom will be there with him and we will be sharing the end of the day going out to dinner for her 71st birthday. I know that my youngest brother, Mark will be joining us and so it will be a small celebration. Saturday has Jack and I visiting a bit with the family and then we must head back to Calgary to start our busy week up again for another adventure.
For those folks that were keeping track of my dear, sweet uncle that lives in Edmonton, with brain cancer. We have been up twice in the past month to help plan his funeral. And each time we leave Edmonton, we think that it will be the last time of seeing him on earth. Well, miracles happen and somewhere between 2-4 days after we leave, he rallies and is even better than the last time. The medical prognosis was that he would have 3-4 months to live and he is nearing the end of the three months. So only God knows when his time here on earth will come to an end, so we just savor every minute that we get to spend with him. Family is such a blessing. And with that I will end it by saying, most of our families are so precious to us. Whether we happen to be born into them or are fortunate enough to be adopted into them. That doesn't mean we love either family any less, it just means that we get the benefit of 2 families to love us and for us to love them. For some folks they think that the person they raised will love them less, or worse leave them because they have found a "biological family" and yes it is "biological". But if you really know that person you raised, you would know that they would not ever leave or love you less. It just means that this is a brand new set of folks that are related by blood and I'm sure a sense of connection that felt was missing in their lives. Let me get off my soap box by saying that 2 dear people that I know have just recently found their birth mothers. They are both excited for the fact that they have more siblings, and at least 1 birth parent. I believe that if God's plan was for them to be, first, given up by a mother that knew deep in her heart that she couldn't provide for them; and two, to allow each person to find that parent, then God has done his job by making the circle of life complete. I love both of you and want you to know that both Jack and I support you with your decisions to find your birth families. We are here for you both to love & encourage you.