A Thoughtful Moment

Today my family and I attended Stake Conference in Abbotsford where we were able to watch and hear a Church broadcast that was extended across all of Canada. The speakers included Brother Snow, Elder Ballard, Sister Dibb and our Prophet Thomas S. Monson.

The talks were good but what had me pause and think the most was the opening song. I've sung this song many times and have never felt the words like how I did today.

Come, Come, Ye Saints

Text: William Clayton, 1814–1879

Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear; But with joy wend your way. Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day. ’Tis better far for us to strive Our useless cares from us to drive; Do this, and joy your hearts will swell—All is well! All is well!

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? ’Tis not so; all is right. Why should we think to earn a great reward If we now shun the fight? Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake; And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—All is well! All is well!

We’ll find the place which God for us prepared, Far away in the West, Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid; There the Saints will be blessed. We’ll make the air with music ring, Shout praises to our God and King; Above the rest these words we’ll tell—All is well! All is well!

And should we die before our journey’s through, Happy day! All is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; With the just we shall dwell! But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—All is well! All is well!

5 Months and Look!

As I mentioned a few weeks ago its been 5 months since I finished all cancer treatment, which also means 5 months of hair growth. Here is an update of the new look and let me tell you I am SOOOOOO grateful my sister is a hairdresser and lives close by because there are a few times where I've felt like I'm reliving my high school bad hair days!!!

WHAT?!!

This morning I was getting ready to take the kids to school when Adrianna rushed into my bathroom going on about how she needed to use my toothpaste. A little confused she had to inform me of what had happened the night before (I was out).

Apparently her darling brother for some unknown reason decided to put soap in their toothpaste?! YEP....soap. I asked Eli what he did and sure enough he took me into the bathroom and even demonstrated (without pushing the pump) what he did. He took the toothpaste (with the cap off) and stuck the nozzle of the soap into the toothpaste opening and squeezed. What would ever possess someone to do that?

His punishment....he gets to brush his teeth with the toothpaste until its gone, he isn't too happy with the consequence but HELLO!!!!!

What a Guy!

This morning I was helping in Eli's class with morning reading when his teacher pulled me a side. She had his journal opened to his last entry....... retelling the events that transpired....it went something like this:

Teacher: "Eli, what does your journal say?"
Eli: "I don't know."
Teacher: "I'll read it back to you and than you tell me what it says." She proceeds to read it back to him and unfortunately I can't do it justice so you'll just have to picture a teacher speaking gibberish back to her student.
Eli: "It's okay if its in Spanish!"

She was very impressed with his unique response she just had to share it with me! Maybe he better stop listening to Portuguese music before bed?!!

Need I Say More?

Its Official. I'm a 1 Year Cancer Survivor

So......today is the one year mark since I had my bilateral mastectomy and after much research is apparently the day that I can say I'M A 1 YEAR CANCER SURVIVOR!!!! It feels funny to say that considering I only finished treatments 5 months ago but it's standard to count the surgery date as the date the cancer is gone because that is the date its removed (treatment is only a preventative protection).

I really don't want to live my life counting the years as they go by but on the other hand for the next 5 years it's pretty much a must due to the regular check ups I have to go through and really it's not until I hit my 5 year mark that I can say I'm cancer free ('5' seems to be that magical number).

I am so excited to reach this milestone, which in my world is HUGE but nobody remembered so it ended up being kind of a roller coaster day of emotions for me. Really I wasn't expecting balloons, cards, emails or phone calls but I just thought somebody would say something and actually my sweet Aunt Barb did phone a few days back mentioning that I was coming up to one year so really somebody did remember!

I've spent the last few weeks thinking long and hard about what all has happened this past year and what it means to me and I finally had that 'aha' moment (as Oprah calls it). I thought this moment would have happened so much sooner and I've been waiting and waiting but it FINALLY hit!!!! I think a lot of it had to do with going to the Island and visiting my grandpa, dad and step mom....I hadn't seen them since this journey started and as I sat there visiting it finally hit me 'I'm here' and it was such a great moment. I'M HERE. I'M HERE to experience another Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays, etc., etc., etc. I'M HERE experiencing life and it feels fantastic!

Happy Birthday Adrianna

Adrianna turned 9!!!

We took her to the restaurant of her choice and if you know our children well enough by now you'll already know that it was off to Red Robin's for dinner. She still loves the idea of getting that free Sunday and being sung Happy Birthday to. Although, she turned pretty red this year standing tall on her chair with all eyes on her.

I'm really not one for birthday parties. Honestly all those kids overwhelm me, just thinking about it overwhelms me! Last year we had a HUGE family party for her with a couple neighbour friends. This year I did something different...... I offered her cash. Yep, you read right. Cash.

So....... after much thought on her part she pocketed $50 bucks and we did a small family celebration with dinner, cake and presents.

Adrianna is a much needed member of our family. She has such a caring and thoughtful nature to her and is usually ready to help in anyway needed. Definitely much more reserved than her younger brother but just as loving in her own ways. She has the cutest dimples when she smiles. Often very shy around those she doesn't know well but watch out when she's comfortable she's very comfortable! I especially love her independence and stubbornness, don't get me wrong this can also cause me much stress but I just love how she beats to her own drum with no worry of what others might say or think!

Fun Times!

During the April school break the kids and I were able to take a trip over to Vancouver Island. We spent the majority of the time with my sister Tamsen and her family in Victoria (they'll be heading to Boston this summer for 4 years of dental school). We then ventured up island to see my dad and his wife in Chemainus and my grandfather in Ladysmith whom I haven't seen since first being diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago. It was so fun to see everyone and to reassure me and them that all is well! (An apology to all friends that may be reading this with the surprise of not being informed we were so close. I chose to spend this quick trip visiting with family and PROMISE to venture out again soon to visit all of you.)

Here are some pictures of our adventures!!

the kids on the ferry on our way to the Island (just a weeeee bit excited)

At Beacon Hill Park where the kids LOVED the roaming free peacock, except for when Eli wanted to take a picture of it and it just kept coming straight at him! Definitely NOT afraid of people!

The break water probably one of my favourite spots in all of Victoria! This is taken when we're walking along the bottom of the break water. The kids were having a blast jumping from stone to stone as the water roared in and out beside us while we headed for......

......the lighthouse at the end of the break water. Cold, cold wind but an absolutely gorgeous evening.

Now to walk back!

Adrianna in her glory.....she's hanging out with her cousin Abby! (I think I'm spelling that correctly!)

The four of them left to right Eli, Adrianna holding Abby & Aiden

We were back at Beacon Hill Park at the petting zoo where the majority of the time was spent with goats!

And Eli spent much of his goat visiting time with the brand new baby goats (not pictured here), I don't blame him they were super cute!

At Esquimalt Lagoon....

Where the kids were playing and Adrianna unexpectedly got soaked by a wave that came in a little harder and faster than what they expected!

Hanging out with Papa Jack!

Adrianna taking pictures in the restaurant...managed to snap this picture of me and Grandma Donna.

On the ferry heading back to the main land...such a beautiful sunset.