Here's to Marcus

Here's to our son.

You all know who this is. Marcus - our funny, loving, caring, goofy, fabulous son.

Several years ago a teacher introduced him to rugby. He loved it. Move 3 years later and he is in love with it even more.

This year he played U13 for the Calgary Saints Junior program. A fantastic team.  At the end of May he was invited to try out for the U14 Southern Alberta Boys team. He was one of the younger players to try out and that was out of about 50 kids. We even had to head to Edmonton to play the Northern Alberta team before the team was picked.

Seemed like weeks went by - never heard a peep. Then an email stating if you made the team and email would come to you shortly. Shortly never came. Well that's not true - seems rugby players, managers etc can't tell time and I was being impatient.

Many many hours later we got an email - CONGRATULATIONS.

OMG I couldn't believe it - I actually woke Marcus up and told him. He was so excited and I know he was proud of himself. As parents we were too. I cried. Yup I admit it. I cried. I knew he was good at playing rugby but didn't think good enough to make that team this year. Hell he was playing against some of the best of the best.  Guess my boy is one of them.

He has played the summer of his life, playing for two teams. The Saints took a break at the end of July and the provincial team took over, well after a short break. Marcushad to take a week off due to receiving a concussion/whiplash. That was the only time I heard "I'm bored" all summer.

The beginning of August was National Junior Rugby Festival in Calgary. Approx 1000 rugby players from all over Canada between the ages of 12 to 19 played a week on the pitch. Marcus even spent a day volunteering and being a ball boy for the older teams games.

Our boys did great. I am actually not positive of all the stats as one team never showed and 3 games were called due to rain/lightening.  We did win one and they played great. A few great friends and family came to watch, maybe they were the lucky charm we needed.

A week later we travelled to Kelowna for another tournament. Marcus on the team bus and staying with the team in dorms at the UBC Campus and Terry and I on our our. First time ever since July 2000. We did fun childless things and showed up in time for the game (ok we missed about 10 mins of it, there was wine to buy and fun to be had).

They played hard but unfortunately lost that game. Marcus was however named "Man of the Match" along with another player from his team. They are such a great bunch of kids. Even though their home teams are all rivals they all came together and did Southern Alberta proud.

Next week we are back to playing for the Saints for the fall session, and then we will be done until next March. That is unless Marcus makes the 2015 U14 Southern Alberta Rugby team.  Stay tuned.

MY HEART

You know when you have one of those days and you think if one more thing happens it's going to push me over the edge and it does! Well that's kind of been me lately not just today.

Not really sure what it was that pushed me over the edge tonight (ok maybe I actually do, maybe it was about 5 things) but I knew I had to quickly get out of this funk or I was going to regret my actions.

So I did what I normally do - get up and get in my vehicle and drive, however this time I took my most precious prize with me so I wouldn't wallow in self pity. Yup I've been known to do that from time to time.

Wanna see my most precious prize?

Here he is

He is the one that can ground me in a heart beat and I am thankful for him every single day. He is the one that can make me not be so serious about things.  Sometimes I wish I was more like him and let things just roll off my back. 

Thank you my Buddy for always knowing what to do and say. You have my heart always and forever. 

REALIZATION

Wow it's been awhile again since I have posted here on this blog. In the last few days I have found that I have really missed it and reading others blogs and being motivated and inspired by them whether they are on my crafty blog or a blog like this (whatever a blog like this is LOL)

I have not worked outside the home in 4 years. I never thought that would be me. Someone that works from home. There are times I despise it and miss adult conversations and getting out, but those days are very few now. I love working from home and in fact the social butterfly I used to be has turned more into a hermit crab.

I used to be very concerned about what people thought of me and that I could only be happy if they liked me. I became friends with a few individuals that were not good for me, oh hell really we weren't good for each other. I guess we had toxic effects on each other and those type of relationships are not good for either party. However we are in each others lives  for a time for a reason.

Slowly learning and still have a long way to go. The friends I have today are the ones that have made me realize these things and are the best ones around.

Today I saw a post on Facebook and it really is true those individuals you had in your life where there for a reason. You can find the link here

It's by Ladybug Whispers

Don't let anyone bring you down so low as to hate them. Release them from the hold they have on you and continue on with peace in your heart. Life is short and is not worth wasting your time trying to figure people out or prove anything to them. The only person you have to prove anything to is yourself. Strive to be the best person you can possibly be, be strong, and walk away. Holding on to bitterness and anger will only hinder your happiness. We all have to learn certain lessons before our souls can reach their full potential. Have faith that they will learn their lessons when the time is right. Your life is much too precious to spend another minute worrying about someone that doesn't bring you happiness. Say goodbye and wish them well. After all, they've made you a stronger person. They'll see the light someday.

Slowly It's taken me 45 years and some really great friends that I have treasure. I love you all.

Time

It's been over a year since I was last here!

It's been a year of ups and downs and not knowing. A year since one of the worst scares of my life happened. I almost lost the love of my life.

We finally now know what we are dealing with and for how long. It's been confirmed that Terry has a genetic predisposition for Thrombophilia.  We knew we were dealing with blood clots and he has been on medication for them ever since.

Now knowing this is a genetic issue we have a different plan of action. He will have to be monitored all his life on different meds and watched very closely by his doctor and now his pulminary specialist. Also though he is a little freaked out about it, Marcus will now have to be tested.

Knowing this now we get on with life the way life should be. We spend time as a family and have a lot of fun.

This summer we went on a well deserved family holiday. It was a celebration for many reasons. Celebrating Terry's health, his graduation from his Masters program. Celebrating that our family remained intact during this Masters program. Marcus finishing Elementary school. And the first holiday we have had as a family in 6 years and the first one ever that didn't have family with us or visit family. Off to the sun, sand and surf.  

What a time we had. I think I fell more in love with my family if that is at all possible.

Turns out I love the beach even more and want to move here. I think my boys would be up for it too, however instead we will just visit more often. 

Marcus loves the lemonade there

An amazing trip with my fabulous family and we start new chapters in our lives. 

Mother's Day 2012

It's Mother's Day 2012.

Woke up at 5am. Nothing unusual there I wake up early almost every day. I laid there thinking or better yet trying to make myself believe it would be a great day.  It should be, I wanted it to be and I honestly did try.

I wrote a whole post on my day and how it basically sucked but then I decided to delete it. See my boys tried they really really did. I got a card from my son and yes it was a card I made for my mom before she passed but he wrote what he felt inside. It truly meant the world to me when he thanked me for driving him everywhere for everything he wants to do. And every time I look at it I will think of her and of him with a smile.

My husband took us out for breakfast with his mom, and that was wonderful - I didn't have to cook this morning. It was ok that I had to go in and buy the coffee on our drive out to get her, I was with my family and that's what mattered.

We visited my Dad. It was a hard day for my Dad and my siblings.  First Mother's Day without my Mom.  A few tears were shed. Ok more than a few on my part.

We had a lovely dinner and yes I had to cook it but at least I ate dinner with my husband and my amazing son.

It wasn't a day of luxury for me. It was a normal day. Laundry to be done, homework to help with and time spent with the people that mean the most to me.

The only thing that would have made it better would have been putting my arms around my Mom and wishing her a very Happy Day.  So instead I look out the patio doors into the night sky and find the star that is shining the brightest and throw a huge kiss because I know that's Mom and she is sending her love to us all.

LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER MOM

Just saying Thank you isn't enough

It's funny when you have something huge happen in your life whether it is exciting, life changing or down right scary you think you know who is going to be there for you. It's surprising who is there and sometimes even more who isn't.

Our life changing scary event we had last week with Terry showed us this. And I need to say THANK YOU to so many people that I am not sure even where to begin and it's truly not enough.

Our son - Marcus - how proud I am of you. You are the one that realized what happened to Dad the second time and reacted faster than I could and you are the one that put that phone in my hand to call 911 without even being asked to grab it. You are the one that got the kids to put the toys away and organized them so they were out of the way of the chaos that came. You were the one that put Frankie outside so the chaos wouldn't include him. Daddy and I are honoured to be your parents. We love you super duperity do and to the purple squishy planet and back.

Terry's Mom Hazel or as most of my friends know her - HAPPY GRANDMA was at the hospital by the time I arrived. I truly think her being there with me helped me hold it all together. I knew Terry would be ok but I also knew it was something serious though at the time we didn't know exactly what it was.  She made sure I had coffee and a muffin as she knew I hadn't eaten (it was still early) and share a sandwich with me at lunch so I wouldn't be in the bed beside Terry in the ER. I would not trade her in for a millions years or ever! Sorry she is mine!

My brothers - Shane always checked up on me and that afternoon met me in the ER and visited with Terry before going to do his visits with my parents that were in the same hospital. My brother Tom visited in the evening to make sure all was ok after his visit with our parents and took Marcus to visit with his grandparents so I could stay with Terry.  My sister Susan just to talk to her and text her made me feel more at ease. THANKS SIBLINGS LOVE YOU!

My two next door neighbors. Lynn who we've only known a few months and Glenda, they truly showed me how "neighborly" they truly are. Glenda came out in her housecoat and winter boots after her shower - I actually don't think she dried herself off and it was freezing out. Lynn came and walked right through the door told the paramedics she was a nurse and when they said they were ok for help she went right to my dayhome kids and my son and played with them until Terry was gone. She even helped me go through Terry's wallet looking for his health care card that I couldn't seem to find. See in a crisis that card seems to be invisible.  She also took Marcus for the day so I could be at the ER without worrying if he was fed or clothed even and let Frankie out and took him for a walk and made sure he had been fed. And fed us that night so I didn't have to cook.

Heather - you little sneaky girl by saying that your just coming to visit the next day but you came bearing lasagna and rolls and presents for all. You don't know how much that meant to me. You came at the right time too!

Eryn - in cahoots with Heather to make sure I was ok and your husband willing to take Marcus on that Saturday. THANK YOU

Diana - always just there for me as you have been for the past 42 years. Hey world I have the best BFF ever. Everyone should have one like her but you can't have mine.

Jill - THANK YOU for just listening to me talk and vent, and making sure that Marcus was looked after and always checking for updates.

Loretta - for dinner on Friday night and it was one of Marcus' favourites. Not having to cook or even think of dinner meant more than I can ever say.

McLauchlin Family - your wonderful card with gift cards to my favourite coffee shop and Subway for when I didn't have time or energy to cook was so very thoughtful and caring and I can't express my gratitude enough. It's great to reconnect with those friends I grew up with.

The parents of the wonderful kids I look after. How can I thank you enough for being there moments after I called to pick up your children. And the kids themselves that state the moment the ambulance leaves with Terry that they miss him and hope he gets better soon. I couldn't ask for a better group to look after. I am proud that you have chosen me to be the one to nurture, play and enjoy them while you work.

Other family like my cousins and Aunts and Uncles and Terry's cousins sending messages with their love and support. Friends that are in front of you in the Tim Horton's drive thru and when you get your order it's already paid for. And so many friends putting us in their prayers and thoughts.

Guaranteed if any of you ever need us we will be there.

Terry and I are so very blessed to have you all in our lives and we cherish and love each and every one of you.

LOVE OF MY LIFE

I am amazed
When I look at you
I see you smiling back at me
It's like all my dreams come true
I am afraid
If I lost you girl
I'd fall through the cracks
And lose my track in this crazy lonely world

Sometimes it's so hard to believe
When the nights can be so long
And gave me the strength
And kept me holding on

Chorus
You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
The love of my life

Now here you are
With midnight closing in
You take my hand as our shadows dance
With moonlite on your skin

I look in your eyes
I'm lost inside your kiss
I think if I'd never met you
About all the things i'd missed

sometimes it's so hard to believe
when a love can be so strong
and faith gave me the strength
and kept me holding on

You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
The love of my life


by Jim Brickman

Meet my LOVE OF MY LIFE

He's a shy, extremely intelligent, funny, sarcastic, loveable, wonderful, sensitive, quiet, an amazing husband and father.

Last week I thought he was going to leave me forever, but thanks to an amazing group of medical professionals he is on his way to being better than ever.

You always think that nothing like that can happen to you but you know what it can and it does so hold on tight to those you love and cherish them even more. That little fight you had this morning over who left the cap off the toothpaste means nothing but holding your loved ones hand while you go for a stroll does.

And ALWAYS kiss them goodbye and tell them you love them.