Once a Year Is Feeling Like The Norm

Four days ago I went in for another surgery. Reconstructive surgery. We thought I was done but I had a falling implant that needed to be raised so in again (hopefully for the last time).

Eli has really struggled with this surgery. Its meant an unwell mom over his birthday, which meant his birthday plans wouldn't go as he had hoped. It meant dealing with cancer again or at least in his mind it is because the surgery wouldn't be needed if it wasn't for the cancer I got 3 years ago. It really sucks to have to see a child deal with adult issues. Maybe it wouldn't have been a big deal for him had it gone as originally planned? Originally I was suppose to have surgery March 10th but unexpectedly it was bumped up 3 weeks, which not only landed two days before my son's 9th birthday but also right in the midst of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Something tells me he still would have been affected because it's Eli, it's who he is. His emotions are at the surface and I'm glad that we teach him to express those emotions no matter how sad they sometimes make me.

I'm struggling too. Kind of bummed that I'm too tired (exhausted is more like it) and sore to head downtown to check out all the festivities of the Olympics. Mind you on another note shocked that Adrianna is telling us it's a waste of money to go downtown and that we can just watch everything on the internet (she's truly her fathers daughter!).

Of course who makes everything all better? Two fantastic children and an incredibly amazing husband who has the most kind hearted parents. Because of the change in surgery date it landed right in the middle of Les's holidays. As always he's my hero cooking, cleaning, listening, supporting and the list goes on. I truly have the best husband EVER!! With out hesitation again my in-laws have stepped up to the plate and spent a couple days with us (they're home now). One to help out in whatever way needed and two to help Eli have a fantastic birthday. THANK YOU as always your generosity and love overwhelm me.

I'm not recovering as fast as I normally do but everything is healing well. Soon it'll be over and life will be back to the everyday grind so for now I've got my feet up and I'm thoroughly enjoying the Olympics (on the internet). GO CANADA GO!!

WOW Our Baby is 9

Time really does fly by. Eli has turned 9!! Where to start..... Eli completes our family. He's the one that shows us all how to be expressive, touchy, excitable and in love with life. I truly don't think there is a mean bone is this young boys body he is kind to EVERYBODY and in turn everybody likes him. They may not always get him but they like him. He is very social but at the same time likes his own space, from a small boy we would suddenly wonder where he had gone and he would always be found in his room giving himself down time. Something we quickly learned to respect. He is enthusiastic and gets so excited about many things especially when he's accomplished something. He tries hard with the things he likes, which means some school work can be a challenge but the important thing is to encourage and he'll try even if his heart isn't into it. If one really wants to teach him something and have it stick sing it or act it out and he's got it! He shuts down easily if he feels a voice is raised to him, which makes me more aware of my tones and speech. He is an awesome brother who will always stick up for his sister. Any family or friend for that matter.

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HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY ELI

WE LOVE YOU

Kub Kar Rally

Today Eli along with Les and Grandpa Haddad went to the Kub Kar Rally in Mission.

Last year Eli had just missed the Rally but not this year! He placed 25th and after having 1 year of Cubs under his belt he was able to complete most of his Kub Kar on his own.

TMNT KUB KAR!!

Way to Go ELI!!

Indian Headdress

Adrianna's latest art project in school.

Cousins Everywhere!!

My sister Tamsen and her family came to visit for a few days. They just added a new baby boy to their family - Ben. They also head back home to Boston at the end of the month but before they can do that we had to get in one more visit, which meant my sister Tricia came over for the day as well as my brother Mike and his family.

It was FANTASTIC!!

9 Cousins from the ages of 10.5 down to 1 month

and

7 adults (I won't divulge the ages).

Left to Right: Kellan Kenyon, Kaya Kenyon, Abby Keyes, Aiden Keyes holding Ben Keyes, Keidis Kenyon, Adrianna Haddad holding Ophelia Kenyon and Eli Haddad (there's a lot of K's in that line).

Olympic Opening Ceremonies Celebration

My sister Tamsen and her family were visiting when the Olympics started up in Vancouver so we had our very own 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies Party in our basement.


We hooked up the laptop to the big screen (we don't have cable) and watched the show along with plenty of servings of treats, who could ask for anything more?

Well....it would have been nice to watch the last few minutes of the show! We're guessing either because of delays or our internet connection the last few minutes were a blackout.

Note: Not all of us are pictured!!

The Olympic Spirit

Originally it started off that my friend Cassandra was going to make the class (her daughter and Eli are in the same class) Olympic cupcakes. She had seen some at a cupcake shop and thought she could make them herself but after realizing that just might be beyond her abilities she decided to order some. Ends up it was a copyright infringement and the cupcakes were no longer for sale....bummer.

She then came across another cupcake shop (this time downtown Vancouver) that had even cuter Olympic cupcakes and she was actually going to drive all the way there and back again...crazy I thought. Again, copyright infringement so you can guess what happened. Yep, no longer available for purchase.

I finally convinced her that we could do it or maybe she convinced me that I could help? Definitely nothing to the caliber of those cupcake stores but we iced some cupcakes and drew the Olympic rings.....copyright infringement?

Olympic Torch In Maple Ridge

A foggy, rainy morning but we headed out early to catch a

glimpse of the torch.

Entertainment before the big moment.

Completely by surprise we found ourselves at a spot where a change over took place so we were able to watch a new torch be lit and linger before running on. Pretty cool.

The 4 of us went for breakfast then Les headed to work while Adrianna, Eli and I headed to school. A fun but earlier start to the day and probably a once in a lifetime experience.