Remembrance Day

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

This is what my life looks like these days. . .

- My Brother's 19th Birthday Celebration

- Christmas Lists and Christmas Shopping (here's hoping we can be all finished by Dec. 1!)

- Cory and my first date (without Henry) in 7 months! Henry stayed with my parents and we had supper and a late night movie. We talked about our little bean but spent plenty of time enjoying each other's company. We had a great time despite the (nearly) hilariously horrible food and service and movie. Ha.

- Cleaning and Reorganizing as we prepare to cozy up for the winter. I have three closets being used super inefficiently. I haven't organized yet but it's been stewing for awhile

- Running errands: the Library, the grocery store, etc

- An accidental Fabric Shopping and Coffee with all the girls and no babies. Kate and I have been doing some grocery shopping the evenings after our babies are in bed. Last week we joined three other girlfriends for some fabric store shopping and then followed it up by too many giggles at Starbucks (if you haven't tried Starbucks new Salty Caramel Hot Chocolate drop everything you are doing right now and run to your closest Starbucks. I'm serious.)

- Aquafit with Henry on Mondays. Except for today, Henry is getting over a cold. Which brings me to my next point. . .

- Cory and Henry are getting over colds. So Chicken Noodle Soup is simmering, yet again, on my stove top.

- Cory has been successfully completing his accounting tests (and therefore has been studying A LOT) as well as a promotion at work (which has also kept him very busy).

- Organizing my digital photos on my computer. I threw in a couple of my favourite pictures of my boys just for kicks :)

God's Grace

There are some times in life when God's Grace seems so present.

When His Hand is clearly on you or a loved one.

I have been blessed to know God's Grace many times in my life.

Below is one such occasion.

I have footnoted some points to bring special attention so that God may get the Glory

and you may also rejoice with me in His Goodness and Grace.

So that I will remember.

_________________________________________________________

Henry (1) was 4 weeks old. I had just been on a big walk with my sisters and mother in law (2). I had a quick errand to do and my mother in law offered to watch Henry for the 20 minutes it would take me to run this errand.

I came home to find an ambulance in front of my house and a stretcher on the front porch (3).


Henry had stopped breathing (4) and my mother-in law quickly called 911. By the time I arrived home Henry was breathing fine (5) and was ok other then a little bit nervous around the paramedics and their equipment.

My Mom and I (6) had already long self-diagnosed him with laryngomalacia. Within a few days of birth Henry began to make a funny noise which we soon learned was called a stridor (also self-diagnosed). This stridor became much more pronounced and worrisome as each week of his new life passed. When we finally got a referral to a specialist we were disappointed to be told that we had several months to wait. Didn't they know my son sounded like he was struggling to breathe almost 24 hours a day?

Well, after the ambulance incident Henry quickly became a priority (7) and we were seen by the pediatric ENT specialist (8) immediately upon arrival at the Hospital (9).


He had a laryngoscopy, our diagnoses was confirmed. The Doctor had us spend the night while Henry's oxygen was monitored. The ENT felt that Henry's oxygen results were abnormal and surgery could be required. A respirologist reviewed Henry's results (10) and found them normal for an infant and suggested anti-reflux medication (reflux is a common symptom of laryngomalacia) while we went home and watched to see how his condition progressed, and would come back 6 weeks later (11).


In that 6 weeks Henry's sleeping and eating habits VASTLY improved (12). His stridor remained the same (13) but that was to be expected. It was now just a waiting game -Laryngomalacia is a condition children grow out of. (14)


Several months later I find myself again in the specialist's office. I have a follow up appointment. Over the past few months I have miraculously watched as his stridor decreased. Yesterday I was told I didn't have to come back. Henry was through it. (15) Only because of God's Grace.

__________________________________________

Footnotes:

(1) - Henry, one of God's most precious gifts to me
(2) - Wonderful in-laws
(3) - Truly amazing and caring paramedics.
(4) - If Henry hadn't stopped breathing we would have waited months to see a specialist.
(5) - Henry started breathing again. Praise God.
(6) - A Mom/Grandma who researched incessantly. She correctly diagnosed his breathing sounds and condition.
(7) - We had an appointment immediately
(8) - The student Doctor recognized Henry. She just happened to be at the hospital where he was born, and while I recovered from my c-section, she was the doctor who had Henry's case. Therefore she was very familiar with Henry's history (he had some trouble after birth).
(9) - We live 8 minutes away from an incredible Children's Hospital. We have publicly funded Health Care system.
(10) - The ENT wasn't too proud to seek out another opinion. Had we sought his opinion we could have had to wait for an appointment. Instead we had to very gifted doctors debating over my son's medical case.
(11) - A mild medication seemed like a MUCH BETTER option than surgery
(12) - Henry had been a slow to gain weight previously. I was now getting much more sleep.
(13) - It didn't get worse
(14) - While a worrisome condition, it would not be a life long battle.
(15) - Hallelujah!

______________________________________________________________

I realize that many people go through situations much more trying then my own.

This was just intended to remind myself of God's Grace in this case.

No matter the trial may I always remember:

We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

My New Mantra

Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away

Don't put it down put it away
Don't put it down put it away

Should I put it down? No! Put it Away!!

My mom has said my whole life that I leave a trail wherever I go. This isn't intentional laziness. I was never intentionally inconsiderate for the person who would have to pick up after me. I just never ever ever never realize that I do this. When I leave the living room to go to the kitchen I don't look behind me to see what else I could bring. This kind of innate organization doesn't come naturally to me.


This poses a challenge because disorganization and messiness can make me feel depressed. I feel most joy and satisfaction in a beautiful and functional home. I will work SO HARD to clean my entire house only to have it looking a shambles the very next day, or even after supper on the same day.

I first heard "Don't put it down, put it away" while listening to this series online. I will often listen to sermons or books on tape while I go about my daily doings. It really resonated with me. I started thinking - so that's how people can clean their homes and just 'spot treat' the rest of the week? So that's how I can avoid piles of stuff on my desk? So that's how I can keep the house comfortable for a surprise visitor?


Do any of you have a saying/mantra that keeps you motivated? All this to say, next time you see me - please, remind me: Don't Put It Down, PUT IT AWAY!

Catching Up

I haven't posted much as of late. Is it two posts in the past two weeks? Sheesh. . .that's not a very good start in my attempt to capture and record some of our daily happenings during this season. Life has been so full that I sometimes have to choose between good things - and my blog is often the good thing left by the wayside.

Over the past few weeks I have been busy with a teething babe, a hard working husband, keeping my home, and my family and friends.

Henry has his first tooth. Bottom left. I am sure he is now working on the bottom right tooth as my well sleeping baby is no longer sleeping so well.

With the fall comes a busy season for my husband. His work correlates with the public school schedule so the office has been buzzing since labour day. He is also still in school himself, working towards his accounting designation, and that started up again in September. He works all day, then arrives home and has supper with us, and then studies until late into the night. Henry and and I miss him but appreciate all the hard work and many hours that he is putting in for us.

This past Sunday Cory, Henry and I spent some time meandering through one of our most favourite spots: Ottawa's Arboretum. The photos in this post are from our walk that afternoon.

We had a very beautiful and refreshing day.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face
John Donne

Homemade Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Last Saturday I hosted a baby shower for my friend Katelyn and her son Luca. Before Henry was born she crocheted an afghan for him - this was a true act of love as she is NOT a crafter let alone and crocheter. I decided I wanted to make a few special items for her, as well.

The above picture is a Memory Jar, given to me by Henry's Great Aunt (although she's only a few years older then me - I thought you'd appreciate me mentioning that Angela :)). I keep it in the living room and whenever Henry gets to that next milestone, does something cute or memorable, or I have a story/moment that I want to remember I jot it down on a note and place it in this jar. Then, when I have some time, I can easily fill in his baby album with the important information and dates.

This was an easy and extremely useful gift for a new mom. I bought the jar from Ikea and used scrapbook stickers and card stock paper for the notes. I attached a label similar to the one shown on which is written:

Baby books are great ideas,
but sometimes you’re too busy.
Living with a little one
can put you in a tizzy.
Milestones pass too fast at times
to find the proper page.
So, jot a note of each event
with date and baby’s age
(like “took 3 steps on March 1st or
teething-5th of December),
then drop it in this memory jar
to help you remember.

Above is a photo of the receiving blankets I made for Katelyn (as well as some other gifts). Receiving blankets are also a super easy gift to make and look pretty as gift wrap!

I simply purchased some cute flannelette's and using the blind hem foot (MY FAVOURITE!) on my sewing machine hemmed the fabric. I like to make my receiving blankets about a metre squared. This is larger then most receiving blankets, but the extra length and width is very practical. Anybody with a sewing machine, or a needle and thread, can do this.

Song of My Heart

Quietly humming along
like a sweet sparrow's song
the Song of My Heart.

Every moment of every day
while She is away
I look to the sky and wonder why
it should ever be this way.

I close my eyes and make a wish
exhale softly and let my thoughts adrift
to sail across the warm breeze
carrying to you a wish from my lips.

I sent this necklace to my little sister.

The sparrow delivers the Song of My Heart to my her, while we are apart.

I Miss You, Sister. XOXO

Fall Ya'll!!

Tuesday was my first official taste of fall. I started the day by going for a walk with Kate, her 9 day old Matty, and my Henry. We went for a short walk during which something very peculiar happened. A few teenagers were walking just behind us when one of them said something.

"Excuse me, ma'am."

Was he addressing me?? I'm a ma'am??? Doesn't he know that I still feel like a fifteen year old. Doesn't he know that I'm still in my early to middleish twenties?? I fully appreciate the respect he was trying to show me, but I'm not a ma'am. Not in my heart. Am I?

Anyway, we arrived home, ate lunch outside on the picnic table (ah, glorious sunny fall days!). Kate went into her home to feed Matty and Henry and I decided to walk some more. We did a big round, along the canal, under the bridge and back. I walked hard most of the way - I even got a good sweat going on. It was great.

When Henry and I got home, he caught up on his napping while I attempted to steam some carrots for Henry's supper. I don't have a proper steamer so I rigged up this contraption.

It worked just fine. It took a little longer because the lid didn't seal all the steam in.

I decided to freeze it using my ice cube trays.



This was his reaction.

I think he liked it. No?

This morning I'm driving my man to the airport. He has some away business in Toronto, so I'm staying the night at my parent's home.

In between driving Cory to the airport and leaving for my parents I'm attending an accountability/encouragement meeting/Bible study with Kate and two other close friends (and Moms). We have often talked about meeting together purposefully but it took Johannah putting together a series of questions, emailing them to us, and then setting a date to get us together.

I hope you all have a great day! It's fall ya'll!!!!!

On My Stovetop

Ah, chicken soup! Fragrant, inviting, filling the kitchen, wafting out into the dining room, its invisible curls of scent reach every room and beckons to come and taste it, welcoming any visitor with its aroma. Culinary poetry, it can be as mystic and pure in its simplicity as a haiku, as philosophical as Goethe or as detailed as an epic.

Chicken soup invokes nostalgic memories of childhood - perhaps a mother or grandmother preparing it for the family or for someone suffering from yet another cold or bout of influenza. It is balsam to the heart and eating a bowl of it feels cared for, cozy and healthy. It is the ultimate comfort food.

*Read More Here*

Chicken Soup bubbled on my stove top all day Monday. My Mom's recipe. The perfect medicine for a windy, rainy, and frigid day. For my sick husband. For my sister-in-law.

I just love to see colourful vegetables chopped up and sitting in a pot, waiting to be turned into something that will fill empty tummies. I decided today that Chicken Soup, on the right day, is tied for first with bread in the oven for kitchen smells.

Meeting Matty

Two days ago Henry climbed all over Matty while he and his Auntie Kate played.

Sunday he met Matty - unaware of the future friendship and mischief I'm sure they'll share.

I so rejoice with my Kate and their beautiful little boy. Kate and I have a very special history together.

We met in University (it took a few meetings before we were friends).

Shared the Gospel with students in the cafeteria (being accountable to each other helped).

Challenged each other in our faith (and skipped classes together; yet, somehow, managed to graduate very successfully!).

We also had a lot of fun and laughed way too much.

In the midst of all of this I met and fell in love with a man named Cory. Then Kate met Cory's brother Dave. Kate and Dave were married the year after Cory and I.

Cory and I found out we were expecting just as the larger and more affordable apartment above Kate and Dave became available. We now live in the same house in two separate apartments. Us on the second floor, Kate and Dave on the first.

April 1st Cory and I had our first child, Henry. Sunday afternoon Kate and Dave had their first child, Matthew.

Kate is my neighbour. Kate is my best friend. Kate is my sister in Christ. Kate is my sister in law. Kate is my son's Aunt. Kate is the mother of my favourite nephew (and only, so far) - Matty.

We have long awaited your arrival Matty and were so excited to finally meet you!!

Sons are a heritage from the LORD

Children a reward from Him.

Psalm 127:3