We're on our way!

The van is clean!
The bags are packed!
Just awaiting the carload of girls!

Have a great weekend!

Getting excited!!!!

I know it's only Wednesday and we're only leaving Friday.....but I'm already packed as much as I can be until we are about to leave!

I'm looking forward to a bunch of things about our little weekend get-a-way! I like a road trip once in a while! I'm happy to be spending time with the girls! I'm looking forward to seeing KC friends, Joyska, Mary Jean and Tony, and giving them all big hugs! I'm looking forward spending a bunch of time in the prayer room, just as part of the praying people in the seats, as that isn't usually the norm in our prayer room! We put everyone we can to use! I'm getting really excited about visiting the restaurants that I love and don't get up in Canada!!

So, the excitement is building!

Ahhhh.........breathing a little deeper.....

After almost 4 weeks off work, I'm getting into the groove of my newest routine, or at times, lack there of. And I'm really enjoying it.

I was speaking to someone this weekend about my wrist and time off and the person commented that she would be pulling her hair out by now. I am definitely not feeling that way! I am really taking this time as a blessing.

I don't remember the last time in our lives that we had this many evenings relaxing at home. It is good to learn how to sit without multitasking. I'm such a multitasker that I have found it hard at times to just sit or just pray without other things going on. But I find myself getting more comfortable with a slower pace.

I'm happy having an evening at home without having to fill it with a plan. I'm happy that it is light outside a little longer in the evenings. I'm blessed to have my husband around so very much. I'm blessed that I get to read the Bible, pray, journal and listen to teaching cds all afternoon if I want to right now. I know that this won't last forever and I'm cherishing these next 2 weeks and the last 4.

I can't put my finger on it, but I feel like it's making a difference deep down inside. It is a definite change of pace for me, and I like it. It's like a token of peace and contentment. Definitely not every moment. But more often then usual. And I like that.

The good, the bad and the ugly.....

And the latest in my life....

Well, things are always happening, aren't they?

I leave for Kansas City next Friday with some ladies! I'm really looking forward to the trip! It's time for me to visit that place again! I'm going to eat some yummy food and soak in another prayer room! I love it!

Then, on April 8th, I'm off to Toronto for 2 nights with my sister! I'm experiencing the perks of her job! How nice is that! We are going to enjoy a nice sister trip together, on her company! They rock! And I'm looking forward to an airplane ride again! They paid for my last one....to Puerto Rico in January 2006!

And for the not so good news, I have to take more time off work for my wrist. The fact that my wrist isn't better is the bad news. I'm feeling bad that I'm not working, but also don't at the same time because I'm just following the doctor's orders. I kinda miss work already, but I also love my life at home, with relationships, Sanctuary, God, etc. I'm not climbing the walls or anything after 3 weeks at home already! I trust that my arm and wrist will get better with time! So, 3 more weeks of no work for me. I was really shocked to hear that number!

On a positive note, I'm going to rest my arm and, in my brain, think of these weeks as a blessed holiday (without doing much with my left arm). I will never have this amount of time off with holiday time. So, I will use my time wisely. And enjoy it. The doc said to me as I was leaving the office a little shocked at the time frame he prescribed, "Go and enjoy your life!".

And so I shall.

Birthday Bash Completed.

Ahhhh...it is finished. All the planning, calling, prepping, slide show-making, thinking, secret-keeping. Done!

We threw my mom a surprise 50th birthday party today, almost 1 month after her actual birthday. It was a hit. Thinking back on who was there.....at least 51 people! And many no-shows.

She loved it. She felt affirmed and honored. She cried a few times...happy tears. She was surprised. She was the girl of the day and the queen of the party!

And I'm going to sleep! Mom's 50th birthday bash complete.

And the latest......

Yesterday was full of appointments between Shane and I. And here are the latest pieces of information on the wrist and the shoulder.

Shane - is to keep taking the meds for inflammation and pain control, keep using the sling at times during the day, and to refrain from activities such as cooking, vacuuming, hockey, shoveling, lifting anything overhead, etc for 2 weeks!!!! He's still in pain (but a little less) and the shoulder is still quite inflamed and swollen. He's in pretty good spirits nonetheless!

Me - I'm to take another week off work to rest my wrist and keep using the tensor in the day and the splint at night. I'm now on an oral anti-inflammatory (and I'm not a fan of taking meds!). No work to me means no guitar either so that puts a hold on that fun area of my life for the time being. I'm willing though....anything to help the process! The wrist is swollen says the doc and some friends and family, though it has been hard for me to see.

So that's us right now. Feeling ok about it. Not too discouraged if you're wondering. Doesn't feel like a big demonic attack. Just another storm we will encounter in our lives. I'm not enjoying that my wrist problem is such a long storm, but I am still determined to build well!

Have a beautiful day!

Prayer request......

I've got a prayer request for each one of you!

It's about our drug plan coverage. There is quite the pharmacy bill in our home each month (Shane's drug is especially expensive). We are encountering a new problem this year since we had to change over to the hospital's benefit plan in September. The new drug plan year starts in January. And we are passed our maximum and it's only the beginning of March! Therefore, they will not cover any more medications until next January (2008!).

March also marks the last month for the Pharmacare year and amazingly we haven't hit our deductible. Had we, our pharmacist could give us the next 3 months of medications without us having to pay. Last year we definitely hit it, somehow we didn't this year (the deductible was higher this year).

So, I'm feeling a little desperate and really asking for your prayers for provision, specifically in the area of medication money this time. Things are already tight and now to add much more of the budget into meds is really stressful.

Please pray! Thanks!

Two peas in a pod????

Nope, two injured in a pod.

The sound of tendinitis resounds in this apartment lately. Shane's had wicked shoulder pain since waking on Thursday morning. The doctor at the walk-in yesterday said it was a form of tendinitis. He's in a lot more pain that I am in right now.

So, between my wrist in a brace or splint and Shane's shoulder in a sling, we are two injured in a pod. Charge on!

Is it morning yet???

I awoke last night hearing Shane's voice talking with someone. I could tell that he had answered the telephone. It was really quite dark in the room and down the hallway, making me think it was still nighttime. But, if someone was calling, perhaps it was morning already. I turned to my clock. 2:35am or so. Ok...that's not morning!

I made my way down the hallway. It was confirmed. Shane was on the phone.

So, who was calling our place at 2:30 in the morning?????

My sister!!! Calling from Las Vegas!!!! Funny thing was, she thought it was 10:30pm Manitoba time but it was really 2:30am!!!

It was so nice to hear from her! It sometimes reminds you how dear someone is to you when they are not 10 minutes away! Though I see her 3-4 days out of a week, when she's not around the other 3- 4, I feel it! Ahhhh....sisters are a wonderful thing! Love you Steph!

Funny splint story....

This past night was night #3 with my new splint. I haven't minded wearing it at night, though I do wake up at times when I'm turning and notice it. Generally, it makes my wrist feel pretty good!

Yesterday was the first time I noticed myself doing something funny with it in my sleep! I somehow was dreaming that I was in a movie theater and had my hand/arm stuck in a cup holder. So, I woke up as I was holding on to the edge of my splint and pulling my arm up trying to get it out of the "cup holder"! I gave a little chuckle, turned over and went back to bed!

Ahhh....the power of dreams!