Girly Night

The evening following our arrival, it had been previously agreed upon to meet up and spend time with our two grandgirls over a dinner and shopping excursion.

One thing about living so far removed from our growing grandchildren is the simple joy when able, to spend any type of stolen moment with them, if only to become reacquainted - face to face.

Even at the best of times, it can often become truly difficult to gather with some of our family members when we venture west and plop ourselves into already existing and busy schedules, so we at least make the attempt to seek out availability and await responses for whatever time frame we can get, or not. Sometimes it isn't much, other times it's more, all depending of course on the time of year and the length of our stay.

On the morning of this "Girly Night", I wasn't able to attend our young grand-daughter's dance competition, the reason for her poofy and very fluffy hair here (grin). It was so great to receive a text message later in the day to find out that they had taken the gold for their dance. Yeah.

Instead I headed out deeper into the Valley for an impromptu yet prioritized visit with my mother in law on her exact birthday, which was wonderful, despite the fact she wasn't feeling her best. I'm happy to say after taking her to the doctor later on that day, all began to improve for her. So thankful! Happy Birthday again Mom B.

Heading back again later, off we girls went for our dinner and shopping evening.

What fun it was to catch up over dinner, chat heartily and giggle loudly while munching down our food.

We took our time and really enjoyed everything, including taking photos using my iPod Photo Booth App. (left photo here)

I was forewarned about how one was a super shopping lover. Oh, she isn't a shopaholic per se, she just loves to see what's out in the girlie world, and finds the simple pleasure of a window shopping experience fabulously enjoyable.

Her mother tells us she once tried on dozens of shoes, for fun. In my mind (and our daughters') it seemed rather fitting to take the girls window shopping just to see her in action. :)

Meandering through a few select shops and a bookstore, the ones they suggested visiting while talking about it over our dinner, I have to say I very much enjoyed the expedition myself, just allowing them to lead me on, showing me a whole host of likes and dislikes, favorite colors, assorted styles, favorite authors, certain hobby favorites and more.

Naturally, we were well prepared in advance to go ahead and plunge into that shopping abyss activity, mostly so I would become familiar with particular infatuations when wanting to gift them from the east.

True to their mother's word, all did in fact enjoy the parade through the fashion world thrills, especially with the youngest one whizzing through aisles so quickly. Once in a while she would stop suddenly and offer a "ohhhh, or an ahhhh", and then onward ho she continued to pace herself.

Wow, she was a "Fashionista Shopper" for sure! We often snickered and loved watching her enthusiasm, amazed at her energy and the way she just came alive in a shopping environment.

Simple pleasures, that's all this was for her.

Her favorite color is pink (you know that Nana, right? - LOL) and she had a glamorous way of trying things on like the glasses above, so fun to watch her.

And at such a young age, she surprised me by not asking for one itty bitty thing. What child does that? Not her. At least not this day, that is until near the end of the night.

Girlie Night Out

The girls knew that Nana didn't bring any gifting with me in my suitcase because I wanted this time to also pick something special with/for them during this outing. At the end of the evening, one ended up wishing for a new book to read, the other sandals for the summer. Pretty easy if you ask me...

Really you know, at the end of the night - our outing together had zero-nothing to do with shopping. And it wasn't at all about the dinner or the gifting either. It was all about time spent together, just enjoying their sweet personalities and reacquainting ourselves again in person. It was also about grabbing a small window of quality time with them, that is until they would again be available later the following week.

The other gals...mall photo booth hunters

Trip to Vancouver, B.C.

Okay, true confession time.

Vancouver Airport - B.C.

I gave a few hints on this blog about gathering with the rest of our family out west.

We did in fact fly to the host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics - Vancouver, B.C. where we ourselves resided before moving "east".

Vancouver - Home of the 2010 Winter Olympics

Myself and three of our gang living here flew west ahead of my husband and one son for a total visitation timing of twelve whole days! Yay! They followed behind after a hockey tournament four days later and all returned home on the same flight this past week.

Having a few extra days was actually perfect for me since I've usually flown on business the past few trips. Normally my timing is all too short, leaving me the mere bookend of a weekend at best. So this time, I/We were all ready for a whole lot more.

Our family has not been able to make such a trip all at one time for almost three years. It was time. No, it was overdue actually because our four children here in the east have all but forgotten much of their roots, especially rubbing shoulders with their big family and grandparents out west, all at one time.

(Psst..That is my husband's painting in the background)

Oh yes, they soon found where there are siblings and nieces/nephews, there are good times, lots of gatherings and many hugs and kisses awaiting them.


It seemed when family gathered over the course of our trip, there were many opportunities for stealing kisses from wee ones around every corner and copious amounts of affection shown every time a familiar face came to call for yet another hug.


Grandchildren came to sit on my knee often, and our sweet newest bundle lay in my arms as often as I could steal her from another. (grin) Yes, I had to share, but then, we were all in dire need of loving these family members once more.


While I was over there, I continued to pray for Tracy and her new baby boy, and about the fact that I, like her, was finally meeting a wee one, (though mine is a little older), my newest Grandbabydoll - face to face.

And I thought about Charlotte and her recent announcement.

Congratulations to both of you and yours! How blessed we all are!


Highlights were many over the course of the next two weeks, including two birthday celebrations and plenty of catching up with loved ones, both family and friends.


It was the perfect time of the liturgical year to be able to attend all of the Palm Sunday through Holy Week celebrations, including Easter Sunday - all were so spiritually uplifting and reverently beautiful.

Alleluia! He is Risen!

Returning back home again this week, we are hoping for a grand finale to the dreaded jet lag and loss of three hours from time zone changes. Wow, we've been dragging fairly well this past few days, surely there is a light at the end of the tunnel. grin

Yes, he was born and raised in British Columbia!
(That is until we moved east)

I hope you don't mind me sharing our trip with you, my blog world family and friends (especially our family out west), as I have many posts about to explode with postdated timing, complete with a plethora of photos and their accompanying story telling notations.

Stay tuned, here they come....

Palm Sunday

The Blessing of the Palms

The Wonder of a Child

Palms formed into Crosses

I like to form my palms into crosses as soon as I'm able, while fresh, so they don't curl and wrinkle up into an extra brittle state. I think this day I turned 18 palms into crosses for our family and others who requested I do the same for theirs.

I then took a few of ours and pressed them deep into my missal to flatten them up a bit for our return travel trip home. This is one sacramental we were thrilled to be blessed with during our trip west, on Palm Sunday.

...Traditionally in the Western Church the Palm Sunday service begins with the "blessing of the palms," where the palms used in the procession that follows are blessed. It is during this time that the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem is read. Then a procession into the church building follows. If there cannot be a procession from the outside of the church, a solemn entrance, taking place entirely within the church, may be done. The hymns and psalmody are related to Christ's office as King...

Want to know more about Palm Sunday traditions, or how to form your palms into crosses, then why not click over here to "Fisheaters" and read more about historical and biblical origins.

Responsible Parenting

We live with a generation of young people who are constantly being blamed for not having acquired responsible life skills over their short lives.

No doubt if you're raising older children, yours have probably already encountered and witnessed life contrasts in other family's homes, bringing home tales of what "Johnny" is never responsible for, and how easy his life is over there.

Usually without delay from that point onward, continual temptation reigns for making comparisons at the expense at times of the shortly lived ... "poor me, look what I have to do in my family and Johnny doesn't".

• Johnny doesn't have to do that at his house.
• Johnny's parents gave him a car and he can go out whenever he wants to.
• Johnny doesn't have to babysit his brothers and sisters.
• Johnny doesn't have to do dishes
  
• Johnny doesn't have to come home for dinner
• Johnny doesn't have to change his own sheets or do his own laundry
  

...blah,blah,blah..... and other such foreboding tales that make me crack a bit of a smile (a deja vu revisit) and where my husband and I tend to become repetitive saying - well...."you're not Johnny" and ... "In our home, we.....".

Obviously with six grown children/adults thus far, mentoring still continues when required. It just does.

As one might imagine, many young people have frequented our home over the years. Many still keep in close contact and have become dear to our hearts as they've become fine adults. Some we have become fiercely protective over from their own lot of life, especially for those loving the idea of "family life" here for it fills a void they do not have in their own homes. We had a night like that the other night in fact.

One thing is for sure, these types of kids are always eager and happy to lend a hand if they have dinner with us, fast becoming part of our team, well sort of. It's interesting to note when they are here how they are so in tune to watching who's turn it is for washing the dishes, dish towel quickly in hand ready to help out, and always admitting they are never required to do that at home. They offer solid confirmation to our young people that they feel satisfied by being able to lend a hand.

I remember my husband being asked by my mother many years ago if he would bring in the groceries from her car, to which he replied later on, "I've never done that before". Huh? He was promptly warned to get used to it once we were married....LOL

We had a teen stay overnight with us in the heart of a snow storm a few weeks ago, and when our son announced to his friend he must first get his snowblowing duties fulfilled, the friend offered to grab a snow shovel and clear the stairwells and decks to work alongside of him. Impressive. This is the goal, teens/young adults who know how to complete a task so they can offer assistance to others, once again - lending a hand.

At times, a parent might be tempted to think an older teen or young adult as lazy. I'm not talking about the excess need for sleep during those growing and staying-up-way-too-late-years, rather the possibility one has never been taught simple life skills and hasn't a clue how to begin or leaves a responsibility incomplete, for perhaps he wasn't mentored toward the journey of adulthood, enabled along for years for lack of practice at becoming productive individuals who can stand on their own two feet later in life.

As each of our children has left our nest or even just begins a first employment out in the big wide world, we've come to realize more and more how important and absolutely necessary it is to ensure they are properly mentored and equipped with skills in advance. We can only hope and pray that when the time comes, we really have prepared them as best we could so they are able to handle life's real world matter waiting out yonder.

The best pose he would allow for a quick snap on his way to work.

In this "me" generation, and the world of dual working parents who may choose to hire household help, the children are often left in the dust without attaining skills while playing their position on the family's "team".

How can one be on a team when they're benched all the time?

It takes time and repeated effort, two valued commodities many families do not make a priority for anymore.

The team soon becomes disillusioned with losing scores when an environment is created whereby children become fixed statues, overheated in a "red hot house" and allowed to bake.

Eventually self centered individuals can reign in the family, those with zero responsibilities within the family unit as a whole, slothfulness often develops, and then suddenly - a parent begins to wonder why they have a lazy kid.

Several years ago we attended a friend's daughter's wedding. During a momentary fit of panic the mother of the bride turned and hugged me. It was as if it that readiness factor she dreamed of for her daughter had just dawned on her for the first time, for she admitted she was hugely concerned whether or not she had used her time wisely for teaching her daughter all about marriage, homekeeping and all other skills to carry with her when leaving the altar. She was actually having to fend off a full blown panic attack.

As I consoled her, I continued to hold her close until she began to simmer down. I dabbed her damp cheeks with a tissue from the box on the table nearby. In my own heart, I knew exactly how she felt for those same thoughts cross all mother's hearts during such a time, mine included.

Let's be real here....

The mother who insists her child never make his own bed because she can't stand how sloppy it ends up, or the father who doesn't allow his son to use the lawn mower because he wants a perfect border around the yard without blade burns, both in my own opinion are parents who will eventually raise a non-motivated child who lives life thinking he cannot possibly ever measure up.

I've seen it so many times! How many times do you hear of young adults bringing their laundry home for their mommy to do when they are in their twenties, thirties or (gasp) even older when they could, and should instead be doing it themselves? (Some instances are excusable, you know what I mean here I'm sure) One might begin to wonder if perhaps they were even taught how themselves.

In this world of kids desiring independence at age appropriate timing, seemingly some are not entirely ready to flee the coop, prematurely stunted as their wings aren't strong enough to flap and fly allowing them to remain airborne. Whose duty is it really to ensure they are well taught and properly in tune for that next step on life?

What a shame that they are to venture out along the journey of life's path possibly unprepared. What a waste during their youthful years not to have been taught to know, tackle, and become excited about life skills along the way.

Suddenly coping skills become necessary as life is full once the road to adulthood is set before them, full of many topics requiring continual guidance, advice, and perhaps assistance (like that of filling out a tax return form for instance at this time of year).

It's handy having a sister who works in a bakery :)

Eventually it all becomes - too late!

Or is it?

Nah - this is the great part! It's never too late to learn. Come on then - step one for your children at home; lower your standards a bit parents and allow for the learning curve on their journey to adulthood. Just DO IT!

• Viva la grass burns because the blade on the bottom of the mower hits the side of the slope the wrong way! A+ for a great effort to help out the family.

• Viva the wrinkles in a young child's bed and the proud face on the child who thought he accomplished a great job all the same!

• Viva the father who isn't afraid to have his children follow him around while performing his household duties, passing along both handy skills and allowing for bonding times!

• Viva the kitchen sink with a handful of food still in it and soap bubbles not rinsed when the young child happily offered to wash all the dishes!

• Viva the mother who hugs her child for assisting at the window washing even though the sun seems to catch a million streaks afterward!

• Viva the time a mother spends teaching her child to fold his own cloths, vacuum his own room, sweep a floor, wash and dry dishes or even load a dishwasher, learns to use the appliances in a home, gardens, washes his/her own hair and a multitude of other life skills SOMEONE must teach them to do for themselves.

• Viva the mother whose little one proudly graces her with a cup of warm tap water tea during a tiring moment of the day, a cup of tea they made all by themselves. So blessed!
  

• Viva a mother who has many children and the wee youngsters don't/can't do a perfect job but they smile and "help mommy" because they LOVE to. And even if that means double the work by the mommy to also clean up after this fun loving offering and good deed minded child, she knows she is blessed beyond measure.

Ah, bliss! Parental mentoring; at the end of the day, there is no perfect formula but truly we can only HOPE and PRAY we've done the best we can along the way.

Here's to all the parents out there who make the effort to train up their children in the ways they should go, in all facets; physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, morally, financially , etc...

Here's to the parents out there who weren't necessarily taught to perform many life skills themselves but who aren't afraid to learn alongside of their children, because they can, because they need to, because they want to!

Here's to our children, those precious souls who are growing, learning, absorbing and performing the best they can, playing their positions well on their family "team".

Go Team!

Hip Hip Hooray!

tough topic

A worthy note and preface;

This blog post has been sitting in my draft box for several months now, since December actually, as I've never been strong or brave enough to post it, until now. This is what we are facing with a visit to the surgeon up ahead and a topic which fills our hearts with trepidation, always. Sharing with you, that's all.



I'm thankful for moments like this when my hubby and I escape our home to venture out for a what turns out to be a very emotional discussion when forms like this enter our lives.

The "JOY" of Starbucks when one requires a hot cuppa and a heartfelt chat.

This type of "Organ & Tissue Donor" form revisits us from time to time, during driver's license and medical card renewals especially, both are due for me this month, thus the unintended revisit in the first place.

Organ and tissue donation is a very personal and often crippling emotional topic for most people, but for our family it's a vital and all too real topic worthy of lengthy discussion in the event of accidental death and also because it is a topic alive in our extended family with two of my brother's two (foster) children's lives, both blood siblings, both saved due to liver transplantation as newborn infants.

Admittedly for our family, it's a real heart stopper topic at best, especially since all of the abuse of organ transplantation has been exposed in the media over the past few years.

One of the worst infractors are accomplished doctors who cross the line with moral ethics when considering possibilities for their patient candidates. For instance, on top of other such debates, why in the world would anyone desire an organ from someone in their nineties when they themselves are only a teenager? It's a fine line in the sand and careful attention to proper procedures should be respected in all matter and form.

As a couple, we have our power of attorney forms prepared and yet even though we're prepared with our preferences in writing, still, the topic visits all anew sending pangs right through the very core of our hearts.

When considering the entire topic at large and how it will visit our home in the future, we continue to pray about it, seek continual counsel from our priests, several to date in our various geographical locations. All recommend their thoughts, viewpoints and suggestions for revisiting the following quote;

"We encourage donation as an act of charity. It is something good that can result from tragedy and a way for families to find comfort by helping others." Pope John Paul II has stated, "The Catholic Church would promote the fact that there is a need for organ donors and that Christians should accept this as a 'challenge to their generosity and fraternal love' so long as ethical principles are followed."

As in most moral ethics, there is always so much more to the initial story.

As power of attorney to one another, we state our desires loud and clear within our family, encouraging each other to keep away from the "gray matter" which in an extreme case, hospital staff might tug on heartstrings during emergent matters to wreak emotional and moral havoc for swaying our original decisions.

So, we write our preferences down in the presence of a lawyer, using dark ink so there are no mistakes or misleading actions performed when under severe duress. We also encourage our older children to do the same. And they have.

My husband's prognosis for his degenerative lung disease has only one sole medical solution offering for wellness - lung transplantation, and that is where it all gets mighty tough.

We've been hanging around hospital respiratory wards for ten years and seen many patients pre and post transplant. It's a heady issue and one offering zillions of viewpoints, insults included. As I said right in the beginning here, it's a "personal issue", oh so very personal for sure. And tough. Very tough.

My husband teeters on the fence along with other fellow out patients in his respiratory physiotherapy twice weekly classes. The topic always brings horrendous fear and panic sensations to make hearts somersault deep within the cavity of their chest.

It's a horrific topic, a scary topic and one that revisits our home frequently. After witnessing several before and after transplantation this past year, my husband is siding with the possible opting of not proceeding with this lifesaving, lifegiving operation. But then, we all know what the obvious will become if he chooses not to agree with this operation in the end.

Loving folks offer plenty of supportive advice towards my husband and our family at large. I have to say, my mouth has become almost permanently zipped on the topic. I have my views. My husband has his views. That is the end of the discussion for us, that is until yet another darned organ transplant form comes to call once again. Again we review, renew and secure our thoughts; that's what it does to us. And clammy hands just becomes part of the package. Thank goodness for a warm cuppa to grasp on to at the same time.

Our hands always become all clammy and our hearts weak when the topic comes up, so we don't speak about it much these days. All that said, I'm turning off the comments section for this post, and ask if you happen to have an opinion of either yeah or nay, please, not here. Thank you in advance for respecting our wishes.


As a final close...

Lent. It's all about offering up more prayer and sacrifice. This health topic is all about another kind of lent many are not personally familiar with.

Suffering. Agony. Pain. Recovery. Sorrow. Hope.

I wouldn't dare attempt to compare these types of health issues to anything Our Lord endured for us during this liturgical time of year, however I wish to salute all those who have been on their own difficult health journeys, and seemingly presented with this topic of organ transplantation, thrust upon them uninvited.

God Bless you all.