Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day.  

It's sad to say that it has taken me some time to find a photo, my photos are not in a great arrangement.

You'd have this better organized than me.  I appreciate very much your organizational skills, I watched you carefully and mimicked you as best I could.

I also watched your loving ways, your kindness, you wicked sense of humour and did my best to absorb every bit of wisdom you shared.

I loved watching you play the piano and organ in church.  You alone could make that organ in the PG Tab actually sing...using every bell and whistle it had in it.

I loved following in your fashion forward footsteps, to this day, it has served me well.

You taught me that taking care of myself was not an act of selfishness, but rather a loving gift to my family and especially my husband.  Including--painting my toenails.

You taught me that a job well done doesn't mean serving your employer well, but rather serving our God and in turn, your employer gets the bonus of a hardworking employee.

I followed your cues when it came to keeping a home, cooking, cleaning and serving my family with kindness, with compassion and with devotion, like my service to God.  You taught me that it means doing things that you enjoy too--I learned cross-stitch, to crochet and knit...not for anything but for my own leisure.

You have given of your self with such selflessness, I admire you, I love you.  I know if I end up being half the woman you are, I will have succeeded in this life--far more than I could have hoped or dreamed.

Proverbs 31:28-31

28 

Her children arise and call her blessed; 

her husband also, 

and he praises her: 

29 

“Many women do noble things, 

but you surpass them all.” 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 

Honor her for all that her hands have done, 

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

5 Days In May, 2014

You can listen to this while you read: 5 Days In May - Blue Rodeo

Our office runs an educational event called "5 Days In May".  It has nothing to do with Blue Rodeo, I like Jim Cuddy and when I heard the event title in February 2013 - that's where my head went...

Last year, 5 Days in May was pulled off by my amazing coworkers Terri, Cindy and me.

This year, it's Cindy, Annie and me.

This weeks courses were focused primarily on Clinical Research.  I learned a lot.  I thoroughly loved it.

We did an evening event inviting the community into hear the truth about Alzheimer's from some of the best Doctors in the city.\

Kent joined me for the evening session.

There are many times when my job is overwhelming, there is just too much to do--but I love my job.

I would love to see Research and Capacity Building at IH, seared into Canadian minds like Starbucks or Nike.

It's growing in such a dynamic and amazing way--and it's making changes for future healthcare.

....right now, I am exhausted--but really satisfied......only 3 more Days In May to complete.

It's not you, it's me.

Kent has been applying for jobs like crazy, no nibbles except one phone interview.

We were talking the other day about the job that led us here....and eventually Kent lost in 2012 due to "economics", "downsizing" whatever you want to call it.

I have battled with a thought since then, it came up again this week.

Maybe he lost his job there due to my Cancer.  He was lacking sleep, worried, probably not able to focus completely on the job and coming home pretty much daily to check on me at lunch time.

This saying is true: An individual doesn't get cancer - a family does.

Kent has applied to go back to this office--due to a recent job posting.  I can tell you when he was let go from this office it was like Kent and I lost more than just a job, we lost connections to friends that had become like family.  We had found a little niche in the City.

So, soon, Kent is planning on meeting up with some of the men who worked there.  In my heart I know things have changed there but I am hoping and praying that they rehire him, I've missed them.

I also want you to know that Kent has *never* made me feel like his job loss was my fault.  It's my head that goes there.  He has reassured me that he worked his hardest, handled the lack of sleep and worry.  He did a great job in supporting me and the kids.  I wouldn't want to have walked out 2012 with anyone else.

busy, Busy, BUSY!

I received a text message today asking how the job hunt has been going for Kent.

Kent has not had even a nibble when it comes to a job.  He has been looking all over Vancouver Island, and completely right across the country all the way to St. John's Newfoundland.

And...nothing.

Last weekend, Kent had been dealing with a cold that would not let up.  I think stress, being worn out over Easter and sharing someone's bugs had begun to take a toll on him.  I told him that he should go to the Dr, but waited until I put my foot down on Wednesday morning, April 30 to go to the Dr.

Blood tests, x-rays confirmed what I thought-pneumonia.  He was feverish and gurgling in his sleep...what little sleep he got.

He has been home this week, taking it easy and taking his antibiotics on a schedule.

May will bring us a very busy yet fulfilling schedule: friends from Kelowna will be visiting, Mother' Day the following weekend, the long weekend is HM Conference (chilliwack) and then the next two weekends have weddings (abbotsford and west kelowna)--we've even planned a family breakfast in Gastown while we are over.

3 times this month we will be taking the ferry to the mainland--I can't wait--sometimes feel a little restless and need to get off this beautiful rock.

A change of scenery is going to do us some real good.

Update:  I am a little behind.  Our friends from Kelowna just left for home.  We had a great time with Allie, Pat at Clover Point, beachcombing....note, Pippin in the background surveying his domain.

Trust Me.

Wednesday, April 23--I had hit a low point with Kent's unemployment.  With so many counting on us and the house and my cooking skillz--I was wonder how we were going to be able to do this all...on my income.

I had gotten onto the bus after work and didn't open my e-reader, didn't look at my bible on my phone, didn't check my messages, I just talked to God.

A few short hours later, God had answered my prayer with the generosity of Aracelli Leal, Ricardo's Mom.

She is an amazing woman.

It was a couple days later--after I had forgotten all about my cry to God to provide--when I went to the mail and there was a card with $200.  in Thrifty's gift cards in it.

It took me a minute.

God had provided instantly with Aracelli, but he was reminding me of his faithfulness into the future as well.

The gift cards are amazing and I will be able to stretch that money out for a good long time.

Life is crappy, but God is good.  My mantra from 2012 still holds true.