Hey all,

It has been a while since I posted! Summer has been fun and full so far!

Shane and I just got back from spending the night at Rock Lake, a family camp that I've gone to for most years since I was 8 years old. We enjoyed seeing friends, hanging out all day at the beach, having a bonfire, etc. Our friends, Beau and Heather are out from Florida for the week, which was our biggest incentive to get out to the lake this weekend.





Last weekend was full of fun times and sad goodbyes with our friends, Jason and Yvonne, who are moving to Ottawa at the end of this month. We had a nice night out on Friday which included Montana's, lots of conversation, a walk and gelati to end the evening. Then we had a day at the Guse's on Saturday with the Sanctuary crew, which is always enjoyable! Mmmm.....potlucks, people and pools! Fun! Sunday fit well as we prayed off the Parks and exchanged hugs, words and blessings. What a nice way to finish off the weekend!




And, the weekend before last, a few of us went camping at Grand Beach. Shane, Steph, Camilia, Stefan and I piled ourselves and all our gear into the Uplander and headed for the beach. We had yummy food, great bonfires and lots of fun and serious conversation. There has to be some serious conversation when you get 5 SHOPers together for that many consecutive hours! Especially with Stefan, who loves to ask the deep questions randomly!







It has been a month of exciting weekends! We've enjoyed summer so far and still have more to come. I'm craving some quiet time at home after all this activity! Off I go!

Shaun's Graduation!

This past Thursday my little bro, who is not so little, graduated from high school! Now all the biological children in our family are officially finished all necessary public education! Yippee!! Congrats Shaun!

Here are some pics of our grad celebrations at the ceremony!







Shane and I were then going to head out to do some camping but those plans fell through. So instead we spend Friday at Birds Hill, enjoying the beach. We both got a burn, though Shane's is mostly on his chest and mine is only on the side and back of my legs! Silly places!


Then Saturday started with a birthday party for Grandpa, who is turning 87 on Monday!!! We love Grandpa!


And we finished the evening off with a nice barbeque/bonfire at St.Vital Park with Steph, Roman and Stefan. It was lots of fun eating, chatting and playing bacchi ball! I've really enjoyed the outdoors this weekend! The weekend turned out great!

GRADUATION CELEBRATION!!!

Today my mom, Shane, Steph, Shaun and Stephanie (my bro's awesome girlfriend) and I went out to Olive Garden to celebrate his graduation from high school! My mom and I are really outnumbered by the "S" names! Yikes!

It was a great time! We laughed so hard we cried. The food was awesome! The company was great! The service made it a party! Ahhh.......family rocks! I always seem to laugh the hardest when we are together!

Here's some pics of the evening to enjoy!

Date #5 (Friday evening)

It was time for a yummy meal at home. So, we had Two to Tango! So good! Feta, shrimp, tomatoes, etc. I had a quick nap on the couch.

Then we walked to Starbuck's and sat on the patio with frappucinos. So yummy! We walked back home and had visitors at 10:30pm. We got to see my bro and a very special lady that was with him! It was really nice!





This officially ends the anniversary week long celebration! It was so great! I feel loved and blessed!

Date #4!!!

Originally, I was supposed to have today and tomorrow off for my holidays, but with being on the back-to-work program still I thought it would be silly to take my holidays. Instead I'm going to wait until I'm back at work regularly. So, I worked the day shift today and enjoyed another day at work. Oh how I like it on L & D!!! That is the place for me!

As for our date night tonight. According to the itinerary, we were supposed to go for supper at Moxie's to use up the rest of our gift certificate and then come home and play Sequence (a board game that I like)! But yesterday we decided that we were sick of going out to eat!

So, we went for a walk tonight to one of our favorite places to go! 7-11! We got ourselves a whole bunch of sugar.....slurpees and 5 cent candies! A whole bunch of them! Then we came home and had supper....a strange one. Candies and pork chops. That's it. Candy and meat. Too funny!!!

Then we spent some time playing games on the living room floor. Sequence AND Mad Gab! I usually don't get 2 games in with Shane! It was fun! We were laughing at the Mad Gab phrases! It has been a really fun week! It is great!

Date #3 - Mmmmmmm.....seafood!

Today was also a nice day! I tend to love Wednesdays, especially when I have the day off! Today I saw the doc and got an appointment date for my referral to a surgeon. Hopefully we can get it sped up, but as of today I have an appointment in October. 4 months is a better wait than 16 months! The doc physio suggested has a waiting time frame of 16 months!

I got some good study and reading time in this afternoon. I love the topic of the Second Coming of Jesus and those topics related to the End of the Age! It is so fascinating! He really is coming soon! I'm pumped!

Then we went for our date #3 of the week! I absolutely love seafood.....and yummy drinks! I don't like the alcohol taste so I always get my drinks virgin, but I love anything that resembles a slurpee! Today we went to Red Lobster, the restaurant that has been an important part of our romantic dates throughout our relationship. We go there for Valentine's Day, some birthdays and even went there the night we got engaged!

I had a blast with my meal! I was having a rough time cracking open those crab legs so our sweet waitress came over with some gloves and helped me out! She ended up doing pretty much all of it! I kinda felt like a 3 year old getting my food cut up for me again! I must say I do prefer the lobster over the crab!

It was SOOOO yummy! The virgin Bahama Mamas are so good! My favorite! They are very mango!

As you can see in the pictures, we polished off a lot of shells and my lovely hubbie was really stuffed by the end! I had to put in a picture of his partially-alive steak...still bleeding!! Yuck!

Tomorrow is off to work again...but of course, another date in the evening! I think we are going to just do dessert or something tomorrow as we are both tired of eating out! I must say I sure prefer the simple life of cooking and eating supper at home and going for walks around the neighborhood. I'm more content that way! And I'm happy about that!

Official Anniversary Day!!!!!!! (Date #2)

What a fabulous anniversary day we've had! It started at 12:01am as we both lay awake and had to say "Happy Anniversary" as soon as we looked at the clock and saw that it was officially the 12th! We've been saying happy anniversary to each other all day!

Then we had a fabulous blueberry pancake lunch, topped with fresh raspberries when I got home from our last day of our internship. I was very romantic and picked up a flower for Shane when I was picking up the berries before heading home for lunch. I picked a gerber daisy, as our wedding was full of different shades of pink gerber daisies! It was fun to buy the boy the flower!

This evening's date consisted of heading to the big theater to see Shrek 3 (3 for 3 years of marriage!) and a nice, but small meal of salad at Moxie's, as we were both full from the popcorn. Did you know that if you go to the movies on Tuesdays you get a free popcorn and drink? I didn't. But I'm never too full for a yummy drink, which seems to be the theme of our pictures this week!

As for Shrek 3, I wouldn't really recommend it. Most would probably like it, but there is a lot of adult and inappropriate humor. I find that I have no taste for movies anymore, even though we really only see cartoons. The more time we spend praying, reading the Word and studying, the more distasteful I find almost all movies and so have no desire to waste my time on them. We both could have gotten up and left, but didn't know that each other was thinking that!

I am just so stinkin' blessed. I probably could cry if I think about it too much. I feel so blessed today. I have an awesome husband. God has blessed me with a very enjoyable and fabulous marriage that seems to be getting better every year. I'm blessed.

Anniversary Celebration Week - Day #1!

I have a fabulous husband. He is such a sweetheart.

Our 3rd anniversary is tomorrow and Shane came up with a very creative plan to celebrate. He has an itinerary for date nights all week long! I get to go on a date Monday through Friday this week! Today was the beginning of the week of celebration!

Today, Shane took me out for a lovely steak dinner at The Keg. He was a wonderful gentleman, who opened and closed doors for me and gave me sweet compliments. I even wore a skirt for the occasion! We ate such good food and enjoyed each other's company.

Then we headed to St. Vital Park to enjoy the canker worms (just kidding), walk off some of the food, see the new baby ducks and play a round of bacchi ball (a thoughtful and fun anniversary gift from Steph!). We had a lot of fun!

The awaited wrist update....

It's official. I have a problem.

Hee! Hee! I like saying it like that...

I got my MRI results last Friday when I saw the doc. I have a ganglion (like a cyst of fluid) and a partial tear to a ligament in my wrist. The doc and physio think that these are extras on top of a tendinitis that is definitely there and some funny anatomy!

I was relieved to have a problem to validate the pain I have been having that didn't seem to be getting better as I hope tendinitis would. So, at least I get validation that I'm not making up the pain! And I have a goal of recovery!

Unfortunately this means a longer process that supposedly will include surgery to my wrist. I'm waiting on an appointment with the surgeon at this point and staying on a back-to-work program.

Really rough week with pain since Friday. I didn't go to work today and having been wearing my big claw (my nighttime splint) around the house for the past 3 days. I'm having trouble drying my hands, holding a plate and pulling up my pants for goodness sake! Feeling a little anxious about not knowing what to do with work tomorrow!

So, it's good news and bad news all in one. Now if I can just kick this pain in the meantime, I'd like that!

How does my husband do it?

Between the strange inability to sleep, the loud crashes of thunder and brightness of the lightening, I could not sleep last night! Though, I did have a late evening slurpee which I didn't take into account. I had to be up early for physio and acupuncture this morning and got about 3 - 3 and a half hours of sleep. This body of mine generally functions on 8-9 hours per night!

How does my husband do it every day? And he stays so positive! I'm more concerned about his lack of sleep than he seems to be.

Shane, you've got a great attitude about the insomnia thing! I'm proud of you! I sure wouldn't like it!

Tests, tests, tests.....

I had my MRI for my wrist yesterday evening. It went well and I'm seeing the doc on Friday to hopefully get some results. It very well may come back that nothing is wrong! That is good but also doesn't explain the reason for having pain for 9 months! God has begun a healing process in my wrist and I need to focus on that and be thankful!

I went to see the GI doctor today for my "angry stomach". When I saw him for the first time 2 years ago he gave me that diagnosis. He is super nice and remembered me from 2 years ago. So, now there's a plan for another test....a gastroscopy. Yucky! That is what I have to look forward to later this summer! I'd love to get rid of this heartburn and nausea that I have most every day!

Then I went for coffee with a fabulous friend of mine. We had so much fun talking during our coffee that we carried on the coffee date for a few more hours then expected! I loved it! Girlfriends are so meaningful!

I love date nights!

Especially when they involve eating a yummy meal that we cooked together (pork chops, mashed potatoes and cream corn tonight!), playing games together (which Shane does only very seldom so it's a treat!) and snuggles!

Top that off with some exercises, stretches and God-time, it makes for a pretty great evening!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

We had a great Mother's Day celebration yesterday with my mom and siblings! We enjoyed the outdoors at mom's house along with the new trampoline, the ticks and the sunflower seeds. We brought the pizza, chips and drinks and partied the night away, finishing the night off with a great game of Phase 10 and moments of hysterical laughter! Family is wonderful!

Quotes from the family gathering:

1. "If you can't dodge it, ram it!"
2. "Run, run, run! Poop is fun!"
3. "It would be completely impossible to fertilize all your eggs!"
4. "I'm afraid the ball is going to hit me in the glove!" (playing baseball)
5. "I didn't even smell it, I tasted it!"
6. "The color and stench of bitterness is greeny and smells like puke, or its like an owl that died in your mouth!"
7. "Do you rememeber the smell of your Prosobee?" "Oh yeah"

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and my mother-in-law! We love you guys! Have a special day in honor of you gals!

A bit of wrist encouragement!

Last evening was a very good wrist evening!

I haven't been able to bend or stretch my left wrist as far as my right wrist for a number of month already. It gets to a certain point and refuses to go any further and hurts to go any further. This has bugged me....as it seemed to physically tell me that things weren't quite right!

Yesterday night I did a bending experiment.....and lo and behold.......my wrists bent the same amount!!!! I haven't been able to do that for months, whether it was a painful day or not! Again this morning, I could still bend them the same distance!

Now that has encouraged me and that is progress!!! So, let's see what a few more acupuncture session with do for this lovely wrist of mine!

7 pokes today!

Tuesday was my first time trying acupuncture! Tuesday gave me 4 needle pokes....well today's appointment gave me 7. It is quite funny to sit there and look at needles sticking out of your skin, which you allowed to be put there voluntarily! I tried to take a picture with the cell phone but it didn't save....

My arm/wrist is feeling quite nice this evening! I hope that feeling stays! If it helps take the pain away, poke me as much as you want to!

On a side note, I got to be apart of a delivery again at work this week! My first one since I worked back in February! Boy, that was nice to be doing one of the things I love to do again!

A year ago yesterday.....

I had the privilege and honor of being present when little Eli Heinrichs came into this world! And now he's one year old already!!!

Happy Birthday Eli!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY SANCTUARY!!!!!!

We are officially one year old today! Yippeeeeee!!!

We had a great celebration weekend with a feast at the Guses' on Saturday and then our many hours on Sunday with special twists to celebrate His faithfulness over the past year. So, the celebration is coming to a close....with anticipation for year 2 of Sanctuary's history!

So, again, happy birthday!!!!

Random Thoughts...

- Joyska comes today!
- A doctor or physio appointment every day this week! That's a little overwhelming...but looking on the thankful side, thanks God for providing these people and services!

I thought I had more thoughts, but that is all that wants to come to mind at this time!

OK......Fess up......

Who was praying for me last evening? I felt it...and now I'm curious who it was.....=)

Day 5....

So, as many of you are aware, Shane and I are part of a House of Prayer here in Winnipeg called Sanctuary House of Prayer. We're going to have our first anniversary within the next week and half!

We have been in the process of looking for a permanent location. A local church has been extremely gracious and has allowed us to use their building on Sunday afternoon and evenings for the past year. We'd love to have our own place and be able to expand our hours across the week...with the hopes that over time God would establish a House of Prayer that would be 24/7. A building is the first step in that direction!

So, we have one in the works! If you want to hear more and see a few pictures, head over to our website www.sanctuaryhop.com. Now we're in the process of praying for the funds to come in. We need a specific amount and have a deadline of 45 days. Today is day 5.

If you can help with prayer, jump on board with all of us that are praying over the remaining 40 days. If you have a desire to give a donation towards this building, head over to Sanctuary's website and there are details there. We are trusting that God has lead us this far. What a ride!

Jesus, would you provide the money that is needed for this building! Help us to put our faith in you and not in dollar bills!

Today's the day.....

I've been off work for a day short of 9 weeks and today is my first day going back to work. I'm nervous and a little happy all in one. The nervous side is winning though! I am thinking that somehow I've forgotten everything! Unlikely.

So, please pray for me today if you think of me, and Thursday and Friday too. I'm hoping it goes really well! I've missed babies, moms, coworkers, labor and birth. I hope in my short 4 hours I get a birth today. It's been too long! That would be nice!

Back to the working world outside my living room.....

Thumb gadgets and musical instruments....

I just finished playing 20 minutes of guitar, as ordered by physio today!!!!! That is the most guitar I've played since the middle of February!!! The most in 9 weeks actually!

I've got this fun little thumb gadget that I brought home from physio today to experiment with while playing guitar. See, my thumb is my archenemy lately, as it is a major instigator of my pain on my left hand. And somehow I press on my thumb and bend it awkwardly when I play the guitar. So, we're brainstorming how I can play guitar more without adding to my wrist problem.

This little gadget is kinda like a thimble that covers the top of a thumb. Except that it is this gelly substance that provides some friction to stick to the guitar better. Boy, I'm doing a bad job of explaining this! Anyways, we'll see over a few guitar-playing times if it seems to help!

I'm happy to be on a course to increasing my guitar playing. I'm at 20 minutes as a trial right now.

On the wrist news, I start my back-to-work program this Wednesday! I'm excited to see my coworkers and be in my workplace again, but I'm a little nervous about pain! It would be a lot easier to go back to work if there was a miraculous healing or a significant change in my wrist since February, but unfortunately there hasn't really been. But, on we go!

Becki's Back!!!!

And now we all look smashing!

Becki is my sister's high school friend who has become our family hairdresser, really. She was traveling in New Zealand since October and is finally back! So, she started back at work on Tuesday and between then and today, my mom, my dad, Steph, Shane and I have all gotten haircuts! I think we like our Becki!

We had fun today! Between group haircuts, new colors and a great day with the family celebrating Easter a little late! I remember again and again when we spend the non-winter days out in Mitchell how much I love the country!

Nite!

Ode to my pharmacist....

Our pharmacist is leaving, I am very sad to say,
He was a great guy, and gave us the meds for each new day,

He knew us by name and waved when we passed by,
He walked with us through summer '05 when Shane was relatively high,

Through the changing of meds, the side effects, and trouble,
He groaned with us as the cost became double,

There is something special when someone knows your name,
But now he's gone, oh what a shame!

All the best, Darren!

The power of prayer.....

It is really neat to put on the IHOP webstream which allows me to hear and see the prayer room in Kansas City while I read the news online. I was reading about the tragic shootings at Virgina Tech. As I was reading, the girl that was praying at the mic starting praying specifically for the staff and students at Virgina Tech. That is powerful when someone is praying aloud for the very thing you are reading.

I pray that these horrific events cause the reaction of prayer. It is devastating and awful. It makes me want to pray for our generation all the more. Jesus, save this generation! Encounter them with salvation! Surround those students, families, friends and faculty with your Spirit and your comfort.

New look?

I'm experimenting with a simple, new look. Yvonne made a beautiful layout for me about 3 years ago that I used for a long time. Thanks Yvonne!

Now it was time for a change! So, it is simple, which I like and I'm not very computer-literate, so I just picked one of the templates that blogger has. We'll see how I like it!

Home sweet home! How I love thee!!

Ahhh...sometimes the best part about being away is coming home! I realize I'm more of a homebody than I would have thought. I think I like the idea of traveling more than the actual experience, though it is exciting!

The sister trip Sunday through Tuesday was nice! I only left the hotel once the whole trip, so it was quite relaxing! I got to do what I've been doing the last 7 weeks in the hotel room instead of in my living room. I brought my Bible, journal, some teaching cds and the corresponding notes. So, I studied while Steph was at work!

I always love sister time, especially when it has extra spice with an airplane ride, restaurants, hotels and hot tubs! Lots of fun! Love you Steph! Thanks for bringing me along!

Happy Easter!

This evening Steph and I are leaving on a jet plane for 2 nights in Toronto! I hope it is relaxing, fun and enjoyable! Thank-you to her boss for the opportunity to tag along with Steph to TO! I always enjoy sister time!

Today is a really good day to be thankful! So, Jesus, thanks for:
- salvation, what a gift!
- that God was made human to make our salvation possible!
- that I can have a relationship with the God of the universe! wow!
- that I have a wonderful family and a fabulous husband
- that I have the blessing of two trips now from Steph's work (Puerto Rico last year, Toronto this year!)
- lots of provision and blessing lately
- knowing He's always in control and knows exactly what's going on (thinking about my wrist too)
- that I have a home to live in, food in my fridge, gas in my van and all bills paid each month!
- that we have the honor of living a crazy life of faith and get to spend our time getting to know Him more and praying on behalf of ourselves, others and the city of Winnipeg at large

Thank-You Jesus for all that you've done. Help me to remember each day the things you've done for us! You're a good God that gives good gifts!

Ok.....for the update......

I'm a little encouraged today! We finally have a plan....even though it is a little longer than I anticipated!

I saw the doctor today and we realize that resting my wrist hasn't accomplished a significant change like we had hoped. So, he wants to get my wrist moving again, even with increased pain! He assured me that it is probably going to hurt more! I don't really like the sound of that, as it already hurts at times in every day. But I do like the sound of getting moving again and strengthening these weak forearms and wrists of mine!

So, he told me that he wants me to start doing my dishes again and playing a little guitar again!!!! Yippee!!!! I'm so excited to play a little again! I played one song the other night for the first time in 6 weeks and just sat on the floor crying and realizing more that I really would like to be playing again. God has given me a lot of grace in this time period to watch and encourage others to play without getting the chance to. I'm so glad that there has been grace, as it could have been much harder emotionally! It's not over yet though, and so I pray the grace continues!

Also, I'm really pumped about doing my own dishes! I've felt so bad watching Shane do them alone for the past 3 weeks. I'm generally the washer and he's the dryer. Now he's had to do it alone and that makes me feel bad not to be helping! So, as of tonight, I can do some dishes!

For the plan for the next while, I am to start my strengthening program with physio for the next 2 weeks, without working. Then I will have a meeting with some folks from the hospital to create a back-to-work program. So, it is looking like I will start back at work for 4 hour shifts instead of 12 hour shifts in about 3 weeks. It will probably take about 4 weeks to work up to my regular hours. So, by mid-May I could be back to my usual shifts! Whew! What a process!

But I'm so pleased to have a plan!

Please continue to pray for my wrists/arms as I feel pain a bunch of each day! I still want total and complete healing, without increased pain with movement!

He will complete the good work that He has started in me!

Today I find out more information about my wrist......such as if I'm returning to work or what we're going to do. I see the doc this afternoon.....

The KC trip was great! I didn't blog about it because the other ladies did a fine job of doing that for me! Good, practical information to take home and a really fun bonding time with the girls!

Had a classroom day related to work yesterday. Enjoyed using my brain like that again! The content was a little dry but I enjoyed the learning!

In the process of being off work and awaiting healing for my wrist, I'm learning some things about my heart. Not easy, but good. Maybe I'll talk on that another time.

It's Wednesday which means I have the apartment to myself this morning. So, I must go and make the most of it!

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!

What the darkness of the night brings......

Nothing but a scary-looking wife lying next to Shane, complete with a night guard to prevent the grinding of teeth and now to add to the collection of gadgets, a splint that totally immobilizes my left forearm, wrist and digits! It looks frightening!

This last night was my first night wearing the new night splint. I've recently woken up feeling quite nice in the wrist department. It is quite a hard contraption to have next to your face so I wore an empty pillowcase around it all night. And amazingly I didn't take off the splint or the pillowcase in my sleep!

I went to Occupation Therapy for the first time yesterday to get fitted for this splint. After 1 and 1/2 hours in OT, I emerged with my night splint, a new tensor brace to wear for pressure and a plan to take the weekend off work to see if the night brace settles my recent wrist pain flare-up. So, I suddenly feel like I have a lot more time on my hands this week! Just taking away 2 12-hour shifts opens up a lot of extra time!

My plan is to wear the brace or splint as much as possible this week so that we're quickly on the road to complete healing, as I've been believing that February would bring. Today is the last day of February and I know that God can still work a miracle. I also know that if I'm not healed completely today, I'm going to keep asking for faith to keep believing for it. Just because it may not be the plan that I would have liked (healing 6 months ago for that matter), I don't want my heart to be offended towards God over my wrist. My wrist pain will fade away but the truth of my heart will be revealed.

So Lord, come with your healing power! Start and/or complete that work in me today!

Yep, I did it again....

Another delivery! I have a pattern going on. The last 3 of my 5 and a half deliveries have been in the same room.

Listen to these facts.....in the last 2 shifts I have delivered a baby on both. Same room, both same culture, both without a support person and both preterm! When the nurse from triage wheeled this morning's patient in with that information, I told her with those facts, I would probably be delivering this baby myself.

Well, I even had a doctor in the room....a junior resident. But it was hilarious role-reversal and a lot of good teamwork! I had a graduate nurse helping me get water and such ready, a resident starting an IV and I was delivering the baby! It was funny to see the doctor at the head of the bed and the nurse doing the work at the end of the bed! Too funny and quite fun!

All in a day's work....

Another one!!!

I finished off the shift early this morning by delivering another baby! Just the patient and I in the room when the little one made a surprisingly quick appearance!

Ahhhh....that was a nice way to end the night! I like the adrenalin rush! I just don't love the shaky hands! And just as a fun detail, it was in the same room as my last delivery a while back! Weird!

Somehow I had a feeling earlier in the night that I may catch this one. I just had that feeling! And sure enough....it happened!

Well, I'm in desperate need of some cheerios and sleep! Then the day is full of praying and singing! I'm excited for the rest of the day!

Just wanted to let you know....

My flowers are beautiful! And getting prettier by the day! Ahhhhh.....they make my heart sing a little!

Valentine's Day Events!!!!

I had a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday! My husband was over-the-top!

I heard "Happy Valentine's Day! You're worth it!" one million times over and loved hearing it each time! He blessed me with a wonderful day full of surprise plans and verbal affirmation about what he thinks of me throughout the day!

I had a nice morning of time alone with Jesus as Shane was out with Brian for the usual Wednesday morning meeting. I love Wednesday mornings!

Then part-way through the afternoon, a beautiful bouquet of flowers was delivered for me! And of course, my thoughtful husband picked out the very flowers I love! Pink Gerber daisies like we had at our wedding, little white daisies and beautiful purple tulips, my favorite flower! They are gorgeous!

Then off we went for an early supper at the Keg! It was so good! And the company was fabulous! I had a very yummy virgin strawberry margarita!!! We drove around looking at the beautiful houses in Linden Ridge, dreaming of a home!

Then off to bowling! I whooped Shane in the first game! That never happens! Then he won the second game! It was fun!

Then we rented a movie, Open Season! So cute! It is coming down to the fact that we really generally pick cartoons already because of the amount of crap out there! We really enjoyed it! Shane's been quoting the movie since last night!

The evening was still young when our plans ended so we spent the rest of the time talking and drinking tea to worship music! How wonderful is that!

I love my husband! Thank-you Shane! I had a wonderful Valentine's Day and felt so special!

Happy Love Day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day all! Hope that you enjoy today whether you have a significant other and/or the Greatest Love of all in your life this year!

It seems appropriate to say a little sap to my honey! I love you Shaner! You are wonderful and a great husband! I'm excited for many more years together! You're fabulous!

Shane has planned the events of today for us and it's been a secret! I love that! Secret plans are special to me!

Again, Happy Love Day!

Good morning!

I can't believe I'm up at 7:45 am on a day that I can sleep in! But I feel ready to rise! Crazy!

Today will be a good day! Shane and I are going for hair cuts. Yeah! Cut off my pony tail! My hair dresser, Becky, is out exploring the world since sometime in fall, so I haven't gotten my hair cut since August!!!! Yikes that is 6 months! So today is the day.

Then we're going to visit Shane's grandpa, who remains in the hospital. We weren't able to make it out this week yet, and didn't think he would still be there, but since he is, today is also the day for a visit.

Then it's time to par-tay!!!! Steph's 22nd birthday and my mom's 50th birthday are on tuesday so our little family is getting together to celebrate! A yummy potluck at my mom's! I'm bringing lasagna, rice and a pie. Steph's bringing a yummy shrimp dish and garlic bread. I think mom might supply salad and is making meatballs! It is going to be very nice! I always love our times together!

So, I'm going to start the process by eating some breakfast and read some of the Word!
Have a great weekend!

The weekend is here!!!

Work just ended and the weekend will soon begin! First I must get a few hours of sleep in and then.....

Off to the hotel we go! The family is spending the weekend at a hotel as our belated Christmas present. It is going to be nice! I plan on eating, vegging, hot-tubbing and relaxing all weekend! I think we are all quite excited!

So, have great weekends all! For I sure will!

I'm feeling happy and that in itself makes me happy!

I'm off to bed after finishing my last of 3 night shifts for the weekend. I hope it is a restful sleep, as it will be a reduced one so that I can make it for the majority of the Sanctuary marathon day!

The reason I'm happy? I really enjoyed my shift at work. I'm not even sure what made it better than others, but I really enjoyed myself. I felt good, felt perky and felt like I was enjoying what I was doing and the people (both patients and co-workers) that I was working with!

I have been praying hard about my feelings toward work. It is hard for me to go back after my 6 day stretch off. When I'm there I usually like it, depending on what kind of day and which ward I'm on! I love my life outside of work so much that I find it hard to spend the other half of my week there. It feels like it is just a little too much. Honestly, I look forward to the day when my life is mostly filled with Sanctuary and family stuff, with a little nursing to enjoy on the side. I like what I do (nursing) for the most part, some days I even love it, but it is not what my life vision and meaning is all about.

So, today I'm going home with the phrase I love it! Some highlights:
- a nice compliment from one of the obstetricians that I'm a good nurse!
- dropped in to see my patients from the last two shifts to follow up and see their babies. Both were so pleased to see me and one took a picture of me and got the spelling of my name for the memories, with a hug to top it off!
- the husband from the previous night's patient found me in triage this last shift to tell me personally what they had after I had left!
- compliments from my charge nurse that I'm a "super nurse"! (Yeah right but I'll take the compliment!)
- got pulled for a few hours to LDRP (not the highlight), but the charge nurse there told me she likes me and wanted to keep me!
- got another compliment from a co-worker whose daughter is a recent new nurse on the floor who shared with me that her daughter mentioned that she really likes me!
- a patient who sadly said to me "You're leaving?" and acted genuinely disappointed when I had to get pulled to another ward for another laboring patient
- got thanked by a dad for doing "great coaching"! That rocked!

Boy, that was a lot of compliments for one shift, now that I look back! That's probably why I'm feeling happy and positive! It is awesome what a kind and positive word can do for another!

One more very rewarding moment: a crying father as he watches the birth of his baby....love it.

I'm liking the weather!

Ahhh...we just walked to the mailbox to drop off a letter and I wanted to stay out there much longer! The weather is quite nice today! And yesterday as well!

This is a blog of random thoughts. Not much of a theme.

My family is going to a hotel for the weekend next weekend! I'm so excited about it already! So, to prepare for the hotel, I painted my toenails this morning as I listened to Allen Hood! It was a good teaching!

Supper is cooking away in the slow cooker. It is nice to leave the apartment for a bit and then when you walk in the door, supper smells wonderful already! I got a slow cooker recipe book from Shane's mom and dad for Christmas and we've been trying new recipes each week. Today it's Lemon Cream Chicken! Looks good so far!

Wednesday is Song of Solomon study day each week. Yesterday I studied Song of Songs 1:5 and 6. It was really good! A little heavier of a topic, but still so good and had depth to it! Though I am sinful, He sees me as completely and totally lovely! Now that is an incredible God and Bridegroom to see me so beautifully, even in my weakness!

Tonight I'm back at work for the next 3 nights. I'm trying to ignore that dreaded feeling of not really being totally pumped about going to work and knowing that I won't be asleep at night until sunday night! I hope the next 3 nights are really good and that I can kick the dreaded feeling and look forward to work instead!

On that note, I'm going to do some more reading and then do the dishes with my husband before my afternoon nap. I flew through 1 Samuel in the last few days and really enjoyed it! We'll see what's next!

Have a great weekend!

Helping me feel confident that He will and does provide!

So, I had a very nice blessing this evening! Yes, some of you will know this story as you visually saw my reaction. Others of you know this story because you are the people or person behind the scenes that made it happen. Thank-you to you!

We were out at the Guses' farm, preparing to leave for home after a great day of friends, food, skating, snowmobiling, and a dip in the hot tub! Shane was loading up the van when he came back into the house telling me I had to go and look in the back of the van. It made me very interested and a little nervous....not being sure of what was back there!

When I got outside there was a wonderful surprise! A guitar case for me! Along with a wonderful note taped to the front saying "To: Kristi, From: God". I let out a huge, loud laugh that Shane could hear from inside the house, where the others were watching from the window! A laugh of delight and joy! I love when God and others being used by Him bless me in these kinds of exciting ways! Those kind of surprises rock!

So, I'm taking this act of provision as a sign for the year of God's awesome provision that is to come for 2007. It's nice that I would get a surprise blessing at the beginning of the year. It just represents to me that He wants to speak my language and provide for our every need! Even a case for my guitar!

Come to think of it, that makes two blessings for this week that have to do with God's provision. Earlier in the week, we received a support check. I wasn't expecting a cheque this month....and when I saw one in the mail, I thought I knew the value that would be printed on it. It was actually quite a bit more than I thought! Yeah God!

I trust that this year will be full of your awesome provision in our lives! Bring on the miraculous provision!

It's freezing out there!


-35 this morning.....feels like -48 with the windchill.
School get canceled for this kind of cold. Does it work the same for work?

Unfortunately people need the hospital at any and every time of life, convenient or not! So, storm or cold, I will make it in to see the ones that are welcoming life at this cold time of the month!

Hopefully I don't freeze on the way! Absolutely no slurpee today!

TRUE CANADIAN!!!!!

I must be a true Canadian and perhaps a little insane!

Why, you may ask? I had a headache at work. And after working a 12 hour day shift and getting a headache in the last few hours of it, it calls out for a slurpee run on the way home. Somehow the cold and probably the caffeine make the after-work headache feel better. I made the plan forgetting what the weather was outside until I talked to Shane at supper time.

So, for those who wander over to this blog that aren't enjoying our Winnipeg weather tonight.......it is -26 out there.....-40 tonight with the windchill!

Sure enough, I braved the freezing walk to my van, let her run a little, unplugged her, and went directly to 7-11.

Now, I'm in my warm home, hearing the wind outside and the prayer link inside, slurpee beside me and I think I'm going to go and enjoy a warm bath, with a good book and my slurpee!

Ahhh.....I am Canadian.

Song of Solomon

Starting this Sunday, I'm apart of a set at Sanctuary that is going to take an hour each Sunday to pray and sing through the book of Song of Solomon. I'm really looking forward to focusing on a new topic that is essential to my heart....intimacy with Jesus!

I was studying Song of Songs tonight and realized that if we were to focus on 2 verses each week, we would only get through the book for the first time in 14 and a half months! That means spring of 2008!!! Yikes! I don't think it will take that long, as not each verse may take as long as others...but I'm definitely into studying it for the year of 2007 for sure!!!

Jesus, unlock your heart to us this year. Show us your ravished heart as our Bridegroom God. We want to know your love more! We hardly know You, really. What makes your heart pound faster? What does it mean to your heart when you see my glance or hear my yes?

Happy New Year's!!!!!

Hope you all had a nice holiday time between Christmas and New Year's! Such a nice time of year!

I had a great Christmas, with my 7 days off, our nice family gatherings and a lot of relaxing home time, or so it felt!

As for New Year's, I worked 3 nights in a row, ending New Year's Day (yesterday) in the morning. It was a good weekend at work for the most part. I had an exciting middle shift especially.

I kinda delivered another baby! The reason I add "kinda" is because the baby really delivered itself! Right onto the bed! Yes, feel free to have a little surprised chuckle!

I knew it was going to come quickly so I was right at the edge of the bed and was in the process of putting on a clean pair of gloves. Well, I lifted up the blanket and sure enough, there was a baby under there! So, with all that surprise and excitement, I turned the baby over, clamped the cord and had the dad cut it....meanwhile calling to the nurse next door to come help me and call the doctor, who definitely didn't make the delivery! It was fun and funny all in one! That baby really did just fall out!

So, I enjoyed the excitement of my shift on New Year's Eve! I like my job!

So, here's the latest on the wrist.....

Yesterday I had an appointment with a sports medicine doc. I do not have a ganglion! And I do not have anything wrong with my bones according to the xrays. So no surgery! Yippee!!

What I do have are some very irritated tendons and the synovial spaces! So the big word is extensor tendonitis and synovitis. I went to my first massage appointment for it this afternoon and boy was there very painful moments but I think it was really good for my wicked tight forearm!

Yeah, there is recovery for tendonitis! And I want it quickly! So heat and ice, massage and stretches, complete with a topical anti inflammatory and we'll see what happens!

So, it's pretty good news but I'm still a little impatient to have this all behind me! I need peace and patience to enjoy the small steps toward healing!

I regret to inform you......

We did not win the lottery tonight =( Too bad for us! I was hoping to have the story of winning the lottery without ever having actually purchased a ticket!

But, on the other hand, we have the wonderful chance of learning more throughout this next year about faith and provision from our wonderful Father. Who wants to pass up that opportunity and take the easy route?

Yippppeeeeee!!!!

We opened presents and it feels like we won the lottery or had a bridal shower all over again! I'm pumped! And I do hope that we win the lottery this week, as there was a ticket in one of our cards! We'd definitely use that 8 million! We'd have no debt, a house and Sanctuary would OWN, yes own, a building!!!!

Merry Christmas again!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

It is quite early on Christmas (about 1am) and I still have to go to sleep so that I can wake up for Christmas!

We had a nice gathering with my dad yesterday and the Farrow's today, after a nice reduced Sanctuary day!

Off to bed I go! A full day ahead!

Let the holidays begin!!!!

I just finished my last shift before Christmas! I worked that past two nights and they were nice for me. I just love working only 2 in a row!

And now I have the Christmas week off! I have a great boss! I have from right now on the 22nd to the later evening of the 29th off from work! He gave me a great Christmas schedule!

And I've surprised myself in the last few days with how excited I'm getting about Christmas. It generally isn't a huge deal for me because I can celebrate the meaning of Christmas any day of the year! It's not the day that matters to me!

But, I'm a little extra excited about it this year. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I didn't get to do Christmas last year because I worked all of Christmas, missed family gatherings, Shane and I didn't give each other any presents and then off we went to OneThing. This year I get to make all family get-togethers but one, Shane and I are giving gifts to one another which is a special treat and I get a lot of Shane and family time this week! Yippee!

So, I should get to bed so that I can wake up and begin my week off!

Bummer!

I applied for a position that was looking better and better the more I thought about it. I've had it on my mind for the past 2 weeks...praying and thinking about it, whether it would be wise, etc. And I decided that it would be good! I was setting my hopes on it.

I couldn't stand the suspense any longer, so I called my boss this morning. There are two runners up in front of me! I'm really surprised because I didn't think anyone in their right mind would take the position except me! Everyone I talked to definitely wouldn't apply...so they said. So, I felt pretty good about it.

Looks like I'm out of luck. As my boss said, Carry on!

Fun festivities!!!!

I'm smelling good (wearing the perfume Shane likes that I rarely wear), looking fine (dressed up and even have mascara on which almost never happens!), and ready for a night out with the girls!

A few of my close dear friends and I are going out for our monthly girls day, but we always do something special for the month of December! Mmmmmm.....Pine Ridge Hollow! Very fun for the season!

Just waiting until it's time to pick up the ladies!

Let the gatherings begin!

Today is gathering #1 of the Christmas '06 season. We are going out to my mom's for the day! We generally don't do presents because we head out to a hotel for the weekend in the New Year instead. But us kids got her a little something this year!

Our gatherings are a little like a potluck, as I always bring the dessert and Steph always brings the drinks! It works pretty well that way.

I'm going to bring some games.....especially our newest addition...Killer Bunnies! Playing it with just 2 people isn't so fun. I think it will be much better with a few others!

Unfortunately, I had to miss my first day of work because of my wrist yesterday. I've had my brace on and off since Thursday night when I got home from work. It's been really sore. I even slept with the brace on the last two nights...it feels better on the wrist but ends up bothering my hand! I hadn't had to miss any work related to my wrist yet, but the last 3 days it has been really sore. I made it through my 12 hour shift on Thursday by massaging it, icing it multiple times and watching very closely what I was doing with my wrist. I was lucky that I had a really good assignment so I could use my wrist minimally.....but I can't count on that every shift! By 5:30am on Friday morning, we thought I should rest the wrist for the day. I'm glad I did. It is always really hard for me to not go in for a shift (which has only happened once since I started in August '05!)

So, keep praying for my wrist! I want it fully healed!

And I'm going to bring the brace, be careful today and enjoy my family and the yummy food! Merry Christmas!

Ahhhh....the good old wrist...

Time for a wrist update. Feeling a bit of disappointment. Last week was a fabulous wrist week! The most pain free week since August.

The last two days have been the most painful in the last few weeks. And my heart is disappointed. I was so hoping that last week meant my wrist was going to be pain free forever.

I let the supervisor know this morning that I'm having extra pain but coming in. She seemed to encourage me a bit to stay home...as she had an extra nurse to place. It seems way too complicated with WCB to introduce missing time into the picture. Hopefully I don't have to go home in the middle of the shift, because she'll already have canceled the other nurse. I hate those kind of decisions. But I'm going to work.

I still have an appointment with a sports medicine doctor right after Christmas. I was starting to hope last week that I wouldn't need him!

So, I continue to ask you all to pray. I want a fully restored wrist that functions fully and without any pain. My heart needs a little encouragement from the Lord about this healing thing. But, though I don't get it, I'll keep on praying faithfully!

Ahhhh....I love Wednesday mornings!

Wednesday mornings are one of my favorite times of the week! I love having the morning at home, and all to myself. It is some nice Kristi time. Shane goes out with Brian each Wednesday morning and though I sometimes want to sleep in, I try to get up when he leaves so that I get some valuable time to myself.

Wednesdays are generally the days that I get some good studying in. Right now I'm watching a DVD series on the Song of Solomon. I'm really enjoying it, but each DVD is so long that I have to break it up over the week!

Wednesdays usually means making a good supper too! And I like that! After coming off fast days on Tuesdays and having the day at home mostly on Wednesday, we make a point of having a yummy supper together! I also like that about Wednesdays.

Wednesdays are usually days that I can fit in a coffee with a friend! Today Christina and I are going for coffee to celebrate her birthday which was last Friday. It will be nice to get together! Then I'm going to do a little more Christmas shopping as we are having our first official gathering this Saturday and we wanted to get my mom a little something.

So, all in all, Wednesdays are in competition for my favorite day of the week. I love staying at home. I love alone time (sometimes). I love having yummy suppers with my hubbie. I love the occasional coffee with a good friend. I love having time to pray, read the Word and study more specifically.

Ahhh....I'm glad it's Wednesday!

Supportive Care in Labor......

That was the title of an all-day workshop I went to this past tuesday. I felt inspired when I left. And excited about my choice of career.

We went over a whole bunch of things to do in labor to provide support to a laboring patient. Almost everything that I have heard before, but definitely a good reminder! It inspired me to think a little more outside the box and try to be a little more creative when I can be!

So, today was my chance to try some things out! I had a low-risk, healthy patient with a happy baby (inside) that was hoping to have her baby without analgesia (drugs for pain). So, we did all kinds of things while laboring and while pushing. It was fun! And now I'm exhausted!

But, we got a beautiful, huge 10 pound baby out of the deal, with a beautiful delivery, and no pain meds used at all! Just what she wanted! And that she was so satisfied (and that she said my voice was so soothing for her throughout her labor) made me feel content and happy with the way I did my job today! (Deanna, I thought of you! You would have loved it!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINA!!!!!

Today is Christina's birthday! I hope that you have a fun day and enjoy the next year of 24 like crazy!

Two other friends of mine have also had birthdays this week - Erica and Heather - and both days I was meaning to call them and then it got too late! Bummer! So, Heather, if you are reading this, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU TOO!

On the wrist front, I'm have a really good wrist week! Probably the best that it's been in the past 3 months or so! I'm very encouraged and praying that this means total and complete healing from this place forward!

Today I start my 3 day shifts in a row weekend. Usually if my wrist is going to hurt at all, it is going to be after this specific weekend in a month. So, here's the test!

I've had the least pain all week, compared to the past 12 or so and I have been able to play guitar almost every day without pain too! It's been so great! I'm very encouraged!

Shopping can be fun???

I went to the mall with Steph to look at possible Christmas gifts and we had a really fun time together! We both tried on clothes and actually found multiple things that worked and we would actually like!

I generally don't like the mall. I get super tired from a short walk in the mall - there is something that zaps my strength and endurance when I'm there.

But today was fun! We could have enjoyed hours more in the mall together! And so often, even if I'd like to buy something to wear (which is rare), there is nothing that I would like or would look nice. Today was different too!

Ahhhh....sisters rock! I had tons of fun with you Steph! Let's do that again!

So, now that Shane's had the day to blog an explanation......

Today marks 1 whole year without seizures! So, today is a special milestone in our house! Yippee! This means that I could soon have to share my van......=) I've had access to wheels at any time for a year and a half and that could soon change...and I'm definitely ok with that! It will be nice to have more than one driver in the house again!

Yeah for healing!

Today marks a special anniversary.......Shane's got dibs on the explanation!

The season has started.....

The Christmas party was a success with 14 friends and a whole lot of yummy food! We played a fun, interactive game and had a blast with regifting presents! I love regifting! We got a sweet gift out of the deal! Thanks Jacquie and Joe!

Then came Saturday and it was time to bake up a storm with my sister and mom! It was our annual Christmas baking day! We spent about 3-4 hours baking 3 different recipes! Mmmm....holiday cookies, million dollar shortbread and magic french fudge!!!! So good!

Steph and I had just bought long underwear at Walmart that morning, so we spent the baking day in our long underwear. And we have pictures to prove it....that I won't be posting! Very nasty looking! It was a fun day with my favorite ladies!

Then off to the Guse's farm for a Sanctuary shindig! How I like those! We had the usual potluck (always yummy), went skating, enjoyed the hot tub and talked with one another. I love my Sanctuary family!

So, it has been a nice Christmas-filled weekend! I even got my Christmas greeting cards done! Ahhh...it's been good!

And now we have another day filled with worship and prayer at Sanctuary! I have the pleasure of leading the 4:30pm set and singing with some great people! It is like the good, old times of 6 months ago....Johan, Steph, Christina and I! It should be fun! How I love sundays! Get me to the prayer room!

Christmas festivities begin!!!

I worked a 12 hour night. I did an hour recertification for CPR. Now I need to sleep, as it is later than I usually get to bed!

Then I must be up, at an earlier hour than usual, to tidy my house, bake some goodies and get ready for our Christmas party! Friends and food! Sounds like a great plan to me!

Our tree went up on Wednesday to prepare for the Christmas party! Today starts the festivities of the month! It should be fun!

And I like the snow!

Rough day around here....

It has been a rough day.
Shane is having a bad brain day. Those suck.

I love the snow, but I don't like driving in it. And I don't like almost being late and talking to cranky receptionists.

And I'm still in the process of working out the Worker's Comp wrist thing. They want to close my claim, but I don't want to. I don't want to because it doesn't feel like it is fixed. Two weeks ago I had another 3 day work weekend and it flared up again, like it did in August. Physio hasn't seemed to help.

So, I'm going to see a sports medicine doctor, which I offered to a month or two ago. It is pretty much my only step left. I hope they can tell me if it is all muscle/tendon/ligament issues or if there is a ganglion involved.

My worst case scenario is if it just doesn't get better and they can't tell me much of anything. One possibility is if it is a ganglion, exacerbated with my type of work, that it could require surgery. That would kinda suck because it means a 2 week recovery where I am off work and can't use my wrist. And surgery in general would suck and makes me a little nervous. On the other hand, if a day surgery and a 2 week recovery would fix the problem once and for all, I'm into that.

So, overall, I should just get healed and then I don't have to worry about all the possibilities. I'll take whatever means the pain never comes around these wrists again!

Praise report....

Shane and I switched benefit providers this last September, since his benefits from the University ran out in August, meaning that we had to go with St.Boniface's benefit program.

We haven't thought much of the change in the last few months (other than I am disappointed that I don't get anymore free massages=( ).

The other week, we went in to the pharmacy to get Shane's prescription filled. He is on a specific medication to prevent further seizures. So, naturally, it is an important prescription to fill....we can't really just not fill it.

Our lovely pharmacist, Darren, whom we cheerily wave at and chat with when we go to Sobey's had to let us know that our new benefit provider wasn't covering this specific prescription. This increased the stress load for the last two weeks when we thought of the pills, as they are super expensive! We prayed that the Lord would give us favor with Blue Cross and that they would change their minds and cover these drugs.

So, in the last week, we've put off filling the prescription. Shane was down to 2 pills and had cut his dose in the last few days in order to make the pills last longer. We know that our neurologist would cringe if he knew this...but what are you going to do?

This specific prescription is around $140 for 30 days worth of pills. Up to now, we've been paying only 20%, which still adds up over the year, but not nearly as bad as paying the full 100%! We knew that there is just no way we would be able to cover an additional $100+ every month.

This week we got the call from Darren. Blue Cross has decided to cover 80% of this prescription now!!!! Yippeee!!! We were feeling pretty desperate and not knowing what to do if we had to cover it ourselves!

Thank-you Lord for providing for us! This time He used Blue Cross, who knows what He'll use next time! Cheers to answers to prayers and praise reports!

It sure has been a while.....

...since I delivered a baby! Which I did tonight!

It has been a full work day both today and yesterday. I had 4 deliveries on my two shifts combined, the last one this evening being delivered by moi!

I think the last time I did a delivery was about a year ago, when I was a fresh new grad nurse. Since then I delivered a head, and then let the doc do the rest when she arrived.

So my running total is 3 complete deliveries and a half (a head)! I have a pretty good record of getting the doctor there in time! I always try my best to, because I like someone else being ultimately responsible!

It had its scary moments tonight, but was quite a rush all at the same time! How I enjoy that pumping adrenalin!

I sure am looking forward to crashing in my bed! Adios!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, CADEN!!!!!

Today is my little foster brother's third birthday. It is amazing that he has been a part of our family for almost 3 years already! My mom picked him up from the hospital almost 3 years ago!

We are enjoying him more and more as he grows up. He is such a cute kid! I love that he is becoming so excitable and verbal! It makes playing with him so much more fun!

So, I've been excited about today! Shane and I are surprising Caden by picking him up early from daycare. We are going for a snack, just the 3 of us, at McDonald's! Then we are heading back to mom's for a big birthday party! Steph, Shane and I all went in on a gift and think he's going to love the Bob the Builder tools and Percy from the Thomas the Train set. I can't wait to see his reaction!

So, off we go! Should be a very fun day!

Remembrance Day!

It is Remembrance Day today and I must also say Happy Birthday to my friend Bonnie!

...I'm working all day today....but I sure don't mind the time and a half part of it! Right on!

Have a good one!

Back to the working world....

How I love my stretches of 6 off!

Shane and I had a really nice afternoon/evening with friends of ours yesterday. We drove out to their house and spent the day talking, eating and playing games together. I must say the girls whooped the boys at Cranium! And boy were those good ribs...=)

It is so refreshing to get out and see good, old friends. With the busyness of life and the intense focus of our lives with Sanctuary, sometimes that portion of life is put on the back burner a little. There are so many more needs and requests that I realize I can be praying for when we get together with all of our different friends.

And I realize how incredibly blessed I am. Blessed to have a heart that is fascinated by what I'm learning about my Jesus. Blessed that I'm being challenged in my spiritual life. Blessed that I have a fabulous community surrounding me and cheering me on! Blessed, blessed, blessed!

I love you guys!

Ahhhh....I love my life!

How blessed am I?

A beautiful walk in the snow with my husband.
A wonderful massage from my husband (that definitely speaks love to me!).

To finish the evening off with the combination of:
A warm bath (for about 75 minutes!)
A cup of eggnog (NOT the light stuff either!)
The carols of Michael Buble's Christmas songs
A candle burning and.....
A good End Times book!

Boy do I feel like a pampered woman!

Ahhh....must I say it again! I love my life!

Ahhhhh.....sleep......

I sure am tired these last few nights....probably has something to do with coming off nights on friday morning.

Another good day of prayer and worship. Ahhh...that feels good too! And God did speak and the time together was actually pretty great, though no angelic visitation or audible voice of the Lord. Shucks. Oh well, maybe at tomorrow's set!

Good night!

4 more days to go!

Sanctuary is presently on a corporate 10 day fast. And there are 4 more days to go!

Fasting is a pretty bizarre thing really. Your cravings hate it, but somehow it feels good at the same time. I think it must be my heart and spirit that thrive when my physical body is fasting. It seems to get easier with more practice! There is definite grace upon a life of fasting. I can feel it.

I pray that God would give us a kiss of revelation as we meet together today. I pray that we would encounter the Living God, for nothing is impossible with God! I'm excited for what He may give us tonight! Jesus, please break in today and give us what you have in store for us! We want more than we presently have!

Smiles and frowns in our place......

Smiles, yes, as I have a very happy husband who now has a beautiful Mac that he has been eagerly awaiting! I must say she is a beauty! I think it will be nice to use! And it has been fun to watch Shane, as he has been like a child on Christmas morning!

Frowns for me, because I'm back to work for 2 nights and it seems as though I'm dragging my butt to work again this week. I need a happy heart. I'm just so content to not work right now that I find it tough going in the last 2 weeks. I sure hope this passes!

In general, Sanctuary is in the midst of a corporate 10 day fast. I'm excited for what will happen this week and beyond, as a result of our fasting and prayers! Reveal your secrets to us Lord and open our eyes and ears to hear from You!

Back to the hospital.....

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time off this month! In the last 20 days, I've worked 2 of them! That is so awesome! I enjoy my job, but I love my life apart from work even more! The time at home, with friends and family and at Sanctuary is my priority!

So, tonight I'm back on for the next 3 nights. I think it will be nice to be back in work mode again! I really do enjoy the role when I'm there! I'm just sad that I have to miss a big Sanctuary gathering at the Guses's on saturday =( Always a highlight!

Our belated birthday date last night was lots of fun! We went to see Barnyard at the cheap theatres first. Shane wasn't too impressed with the movie, but I really liked it! It was a pretty empty theatre at 4:55pm and the giggles from the children in the room made the movie even more enjoyable! Then we went to vote.

After voting, we headed over to check out Best Buy briefly and then off to Olive Garden for yummy food! Mmmmm.....so good! And I always try to stuff myself with the salad and breadsticks so that I can have the majority of my meal the next day for lunch! I'm such a mennonite somedays!

So, you'd think my birthday celebrations were long over but this year is a little longer than usual. I have one more coming....a supper with my dad, at the beginning of November! We share a birthday and haven't been able to have supper together to celebrate yet!

Adios amigos!

A Happy Birthday to me?????? Again?????

Today is the day that Shane and I are going to celebrate my birthday. It seems very belated, as it was 13 days ago! We never did get a little celebration by ourselves because we had a big group dinner at a very yummy Italian restaurant in Kansas City during our trip down. It was so good and the company made the day special! Shane and I did fit in a coffee date at Higher Grounds that day, though! So, tonight we are going to have a birthday supper with some birthday money and gift certificates from the Farrow family. Thanks for supplying this date, guys!

.......feeling a sheepish.....

Off on holidays for 12 days, back for 2 shifts at work, go home early today!, and now off for 6 more days! Feeling a little sheepish for leaving early, but there is definitely a baby lull in October...at least this week! I think I'll eventually plan on an October baby, since I love this month, and there might be a good chance at getting a bed!

Now, a friday evening without work! What will I do?

The latest.....in a brief synopsis.....

-We bought a van!!!! Can you believe it, a van owner at 23 with no children!
-We went to a conference in Kansas City and enjoyed ourselves (gone for ~5 days)
-I had a birthday last thursday and turned 24!
-I've had 12 days off work and really enjoyed the holiday....actually wanting it to continue!
-God is working on my heart, schedule and life....always a good thing!

That's it for now! Off I go!

Life is but a vapor......

Last night's shift was full of stark contrasts.

I had one beautiful delivery. No IV, minimal analgesia, very good fetal heart rate, very pleasant couple, beautiful term baby born at 39 weeks.

Then I had my first stillbirth. A very small baby born at 23 weeks. Also beautiful, with perfect little hands and feet. Just a very sad situation in contrast to the usual happy, health infant.

It really does show how fragile life is. It can be there one moment and then be gone the next. And there doesn't always seem to be answers to why.

I pray this morning that Jesus would be near to all these new parents, especially the ones dealing with loss right now.

Still awaiting.....

The search and prayer for a new car is still on in our home. We are getting closer to knowing what we would like, but the biggest hang-up is the finances (naturally). So, please keep praying for wisdom, guidance and provision for our needs!

We settled with MPI today for our Alero. We are satisfied with the amount that they offerred. The check will be in the mail headed our way, by tomorrow. I'm relieved that that part is complete.

Steph has been an incredible blessing and has lent us her computer for the most part since ours died. It has been so helpful! And hopefully in not too long, we'll have one of our own again.

Regardless of the car issue, the plan is still to head to the conference in Kansas City next week. I'm very glad that our trip wasn't cancelled due to our lack of car. I'm looking forward to our time receiving in Kansas City!

I'm off to another night shift! After these two night shifts, I'm off on holidays for 12 days which include the celebration of Thanksgiving, my 24th birthday and a trip to KC! I think it will be a nice one!

Expanding the knowledge....

Today is another classroom day at work. More expanding of my brain capacity. That is good once in a while!

Today is part of my ongoing orientation to the gynecology and antepartum unit, which started in the spring. I still don't go there to work, because I didn't get enough orientation days to feel competent yet! Soon I will though, since the other wards I go to might be able to spare me as the rush of summer hopefully will soon start to slow down! I look forward to my lovely friend, Christina being on that ward! Then I can ask her the surgical/medical questions that she's bound to know that is a foreign world to this maternal/child nurse!

Then this evening is dubbed "car shopping" evening. Pray that we either get an idea of what we'd like or find the car already! Would the Lord lead and guide us to the right car for us!

Later!