ever since we moved, patrick has shown me over and over what a lucky woman i am. one day last week, he walked me to class. this week, i was on my way home from school, and he was there to walk home with me.
this morning, he had planned to walk me to school again, but dan and katie came last night so we stayed up really late hanging out with them. so this morning, i told him it was just fine if he stayed in bed, he said yeah, that's what he wanted to do, so i got ready and left.
i was walking along, listening to my ipod. the sky kept leaking drops of rain - it wasn't raining, exactly, but drops were coming down in fits and starts. since i was alone on the sidewalk, i wasn't really worried about anyone overhearing me singing along with the music. after i crossed bayview, more than halfway to school, i glanced back over my shoulder.
standing there, panting his heart out from the run, was patrick!
i was totally surprised, and he gasped "you forgot something really important! it's under my sweater!" i felt in his hoodie pockets for my puffer - my book - what had i forgotten?
"me!" he exclaimed, putting his arms out.
it was the best hug ever.
my husband is the nicest man in the world. he had run more than half of the way to school. then he walked me the rest of the way to class, kissed me goodbye, and went home.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
a long journey
i feel like i'm getting back from a long journey. the kind of travel that couldn't be called a trip, the kind that leaves you changed inside - farther away from yourself, somehow, and older.
l.m. montgomery would call it an epoch - such a solid, old fashioned sounding word for "a particular period of time marked by distinctive features, events" (dictionary.com), the distinctive features and events being, of course, the loss of our baby and murky sorrow.
our baby brought us gifts. strange, i thought we were giving him life, but he gave us so much more than we gave him. he gave us the sweet wild happiness of first finding out we were pregnant - that was amazing, fun, dazzling.
l.m. montgomery would call it an epoch - such a solid, old fashioned sounding word for "a particular period of time marked by distinctive features, events" (dictionary.com), the distinctive features and events being, of course, the loss of our baby and murky sorrow.
our baby brought us gifts. strange, i thought we were giving him life, but he gave us so much more than we gave him. he gave us the sweet wild happiness of first finding out we were pregnant - that was amazing, fun, dazzling.
then we had the happier joy of sharing the news with everyone, and shared joy is definitely multiplied. it was so fun telling people, and watching them light up and get excited with us.
when the pregnancy was threatened and the doctor put me on bed rest, our baby still kept giving. we hadn't known how loving and tender and thoughtful the christians here could be ... but we received letters and phone calls and emails, and emily even came over and made us supper. everyone shared their love and helped carry our sorrow.
when the baby died, we were so blessed as to have robb and angele visiting. this was one of the nicest, strangest gifts we received ... sharing the joy of being with them at the hardest, most mind-blowing time of our life together.
so, baby: we miss you every day. we miss the happiness you brought and left behind you. we miss the gorgeous way your heart beat and made ours race. we miss the way you reminded us minute-by-minute of God. you gave us so much joy, and when you left you took the very sunshine out of the sky. sometimes i can barely breathe because i miss you so much.
so, baby: we miss you every day. we miss the happiness you brought and left behind you. we miss the gorgeous way your heart beat and made ours race. we miss the way you reminded us minute-by-minute of God. you gave us so much joy, and when you left you took the very sunshine out of the sky. sometimes i can barely breathe because i miss you so much.
thanks to all of you who carried us in prayer - and to those loved us by sharing your own stories of sorrow and comfort.
september: back to school and a new start. i don't know whether to love or hate every day that takes us further away from our long journey.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
bed rest and the baby bean
last week we had an awesome visit from chad and leanne and their adorable little darling, jelena. we had so much fun with them (and seriously not enough sleep) and can't wait until they come back again. which they might do early next year ... when our baby is due.
unfortunately, i'm having complications with the pregnancy. i'm on bed rest for a week, and i'm exhausted with all this laying around. it's SOOOOOOO boring. and after two weeks of contsant rain, the sun is bursting out in all its glory ... while i wimp about it, trapped in our apartment.
okay, there are bright sides to all this. everyone has been so kind and supportive, and i've had phone calls, emails, and visits from friends sharing their love. joey came to visit me three times this week, and nieche and crystal came too, with all their kids, on thursday. mom and dad and aunt jeannette came over last night. emily called and wanted to stop in, but being a genius and self-saboteur, i had accidentally unplugged the phone. so here's hoping she doesn't get discouraged from trying again :).
and one added bonus is my wonderful doctor. she got me in for an ultrasound right away, and this time we got to keep the picture :). so here is our little baby bean, tiny as can be and fighting for life ... but still there :).
thanks to everyone for praying. my Saviour is giving me strength. xo.
unfortunately, i'm having complications with the pregnancy. i'm on bed rest for a week, and i'm exhausted with all this laying around. it's SOOOOOOO boring. and after two weeks of contsant rain, the sun is bursting out in all its glory ... while i wimp about it, trapped in our apartment.
okay, there are bright sides to all this. everyone has been so kind and supportive, and i've had phone calls, emails, and visits from friends sharing their love. joey came to visit me three times this week, and nieche and crystal came too, with all their kids, on thursday. mom and dad and aunt jeannette came over last night. emily called and wanted to stop in, but being a genius and self-saboteur, i had accidentally unplugged the phone. so here's hoping she doesn't get discouraged from trying again :).
and one added bonus is my wonderful doctor. she got me in for an ultrasound right away, and this time we got to keep the picture :). so here is our little baby bean, tiny as can be and fighting for life ... but still there :).
thanks to everyone for praying. my Saviour is giving me strength. xo.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
the sissy has an ultrasonic day
as it turns out, i'm a sissy. well, to put it more accurately ... a cyst-y. today i found out that i've got a cyst, and that was what had turned me into a wimping (and rather worried) mama-to-be. i've been having a lot of pain the past few days, and i was beginning to fear that my baby (babies?) had hunkered down in my fallopian tubes ... :S.
needless to say, after a few anxious days, today's ultrasound was a big relief.
after a painful walk through a gorgeously green and sunny halifax (hooray for the rain, now that it's gone!), patrick and i sat nervously in the ultrasound room - eyeing the ultrasonic wand with something other than joy and delight. what were we about to discover ... was this so-new pregnancy about to end in sadness? was i going to ever be a mother at all? or, worse thought, was i going to be the new octomom?
all the trepidation disappeared, however, when the doctor showed us a beautiful, healthy, thumping little grain of rice on the screen. when i heard patrick gasp, i could barely look away from the screen to look at his amazing face - we gripped hands and watched our little baby thump thump thump its existence with all its might.
the doctor took a few pictures, did some measuring, and then reassured us about my cyst (apparently everything is okay ... i've just got to stick the pain out for now).
we left the hospital in relief - joy - awe ...
in four weeks, we get to go back and look at the little bean/pickle/belzoir all over again. :). i'm so excited to see how much our baby grows!
needless to say, after a few anxious days, today's ultrasound was a big relief.
after a painful walk through a gorgeously green and sunny halifax (hooray for the rain, now that it's gone!), patrick and i sat nervously in the ultrasound room - eyeing the ultrasonic wand with something other than joy and delight. what were we about to discover ... was this so-new pregnancy about to end in sadness? was i going to ever be a mother at all? or, worse thought, was i going to be the new octomom?
all the trepidation disappeared, however, when the doctor showed us a beautiful, healthy, thumping little grain of rice on the screen. when i heard patrick gasp, i could barely look away from the screen to look at his amazing face - we gripped hands and watched our little baby thump thump thump its existence with all its might.
the doctor took a few pictures, did some measuring, and then reassured us about my cyst (apparently everything is okay ... i've just got to stick the pain out for now).
we left the hospital in relief - joy - awe ...
in four weeks, we get to go back and look at the little bean/pickle/belzoir all over again. :). i'm so excited to see how much our baby grows!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
birthday pies and bike rides
june 10th was dad's birthday. i promised to bake him a cake, but when i was in the grocery store, i saw pie shells and remembered how much dad likes pie. so instead of a cake, i made him two birthday pies!
this was all fine and dandy. however ...
patrick and i are selling our car. it needs an inspection and we've taken the insurance off it. we got bikes to get around town, but when it came time to take the pies over to mom and dad's place ...
undaunted, we packed each pie into a reusable grocery bag with wide flat bottoms (the kind you get when you eat too much pie). then we slung the bags around our necks and the pies hung down in front of our bellies (the kind you get when you eat too much pie). then we had the most bow-legged bike-trip over to mom and dad's ...
people looked at us like we were crazy (we probably were) and i hardly dared do a shoulder check in case i upset the pie. patrick got tired of having his hung around his neck, and moved it to his handlebar. i groaned inside everytime his knee went up - bonk, up - bonk ...
but at long last, the pies arrived safely (a little jiggled - but intact).
:)
the ride home was much more fun. the night air was warm and soft, and traffic was so light we even rode side by side and held hands for a bit. coming home after a bike ride is so much more satisfying than coming home after a trip in the car ... and i think patrick loves it because i can't backseat drive - i'm too busy riding my own bike to give him advice ;)
this was all fine and dandy. however ...
patrick and i are selling our car. it needs an inspection and we've taken the insurance off it. we got bikes to get around town, but when it came time to take the pies over to mom and dad's place ...
undaunted, we packed each pie into a reusable grocery bag with wide flat bottoms (the kind you get when you eat too much pie). then we slung the bags around our necks and the pies hung down in front of our bellies (the kind you get when you eat too much pie). then we had the most bow-legged bike-trip over to mom and dad's ...
people looked at us like we were crazy (we probably were) and i hardly dared do a shoulder check in case i upset the pie. patrick got tired of having his hung around his neck, and moved it to his handlebar. i groaned inside everytime his knee went up - bonk, up - bonk ...
but at long last, the pies arrived safely (a little jiggled - but intact).
:)
the ride home was much more fun. the night air was warm and soft, and traffic was so light we even rode side by side and held hands for a bit. coming home after a bike ride is so much more satisfying than coming home after a trip in the car ... and i think patrick loves it because i can't backseat drive - i'm too busy riding my own bike to give him advice ;)
Sunday, May 24, 2009
How Well Do You Know Your Husband?
1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
big bang theory, a downloaded movie, or scrubs
His answer: scrubs, big bang theory, or ugly betty
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
caesar or poppyseed
His answer: caesar
3. What's one food he doesn't like?
... i haven't found anything he doesn't like yet!
His answer: dang, i don't know.
4. You go out to eat. What drink does he order?
water or hot chocolate.
His answer: rum or water.
5. Where did he go to high school?
kap and thunder bay
His answer: kapuskasing district high school and hillcrest high school.
6. What size shoe does he wear?
8
His answer: 7 or 8
7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
books! or old movies or old computer games ... i think.
His answer: pogs. heheh. no i'm kidding. books.
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
any :)
His answer: i don't know. i'll eat any kind of sandwich.
9. What would he eat every day if he could?
sandwiches and salads and soup
His answer: salad and perogies
10. What is his favorite cereal?
apple cinnamon cheerios
His answer: honey nut cheerios - i'd also take those high-fibre cereals, they're equally good.
11. What would he never wear?
high heels
His answer: i'd say a dress but i've probably worn a dress before. leather pants.
(i had to put this picture in ... it was from a photo scavenger hunt "male wearing a female's clothing")
12. What is his favorite sports team?
none
His answer: i don't have one.
13. Who did he vote for?
he didn’t
His answer: don't vote.
14. Who is his best friend?
me :) or chad!
His answer: janelle.
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
complain
His answer: snore? just kidding! the laundry. ... i don't know.
16. What is his heritage?
french canadian and irish
His answer: french and canadian
17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
rainbow swirl cake
His answer: one of those rainbow cakes with icing that you make.
18. Did he play sports in high school?
nope
His answer: ha! no.
19. What could he spend hours doing?
playing old computer games, writing, or reading
His answer: virtually anything. writing, playing computer games, reading, watching movies, neglecting housework, sleeping.
big bang theory, a downloaded movie, or scrubs
His answer: scrubs, big bang theory, or ugly betty
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
caesar or poppyseed
His answer: caesar
3. What's one food he doesn't like?
... i haven't found anything he doesn't like yet!
His answer: dang, i don't know.
4. You go out to eat. What drink does he order?
water or hot chocolate.
His answer: rum or water.
5. Where did he go to high school?
kap and thunder bay
His answer: kapuskasing district high school and hillcrest high school.
6. What size shoe does he wear?
8
His answer: 7 or 8
7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
books! or old movies or old computer games ... i think.
His answer: pogs. heheh. no i'm kidding. books.
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
any :)
His answer: i don't know. i'll eat any kind of sandwich.
9. What would he eat every day if he could?
sandwiches and salads and soup
His answer: salad and perogies
10. What is his favorite cereal?
apple cinnamon cheerios
His answer: honey nut cheerios - i'd also take those high-fibre cereals, they're equally good.
11. What would he never wear?
high heels
His answer: i'd say a dress but i've probably worn a dress before. leather pants.
(i had to put this picture in ... it was from a photo scavenger hunt "male wearing a female's clothing")
12. What is his favorite sports team?
none
His answer: i don't have one.
13. Who did he vote for?
he didn’t
His answer: don't vote.
14. Who is his best friend?
me :) or chad!
His answer: janelle.
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
complain
His answer: snore? just kidding! the laundry. ... i don't know.
16. What is his heritage?
french canadian and irish
His answer: french and canadian
17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
rainbow swirl cake
His answer: one of those rainbow cakes with icing that you make.
18. Did he play sports in high school?
nope
His answer: ha! no.
19. What could he spend hours doing?
playing old computer games, writing, or reading
His answer: virtually anything. writing, playing computer games, reading, watching movies, neglecting housework, sleeping.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
a sunshiney weekend
friday morning i got up nice and early to go to peggy's cove with girls from my esl class - nayoung, seohyun, and bailey - and joey, who did the driving honours in her adorable new blue car. it was a beautiful day - clear and bright, and almost hot, even at 830 am. we were the first ones at the cove, so we had it all to ourselves for most of our visit - it was great! we ran around, took pics, and admired the ocean ... it was definitely showing off :)then we dashed back to the 'fax so bailey could work at 1030.
can't visit peggy's without a picture of the lighthouse.
joey picked my nose. ew!
the girls had a blast getting cool pics (with the traditional post-office ... er, lighthouse).
i just liked this window.
the sky was blue, the view was lovely ...
killing time while seohyun ran to the car for fresh batteries ... this turned out to be my favorite pic!
today was beautiful again, so i took ashlin, marcella, and laurie to the dingle. we picnicked, played, ate ice cream, and explored the little beach. the girls found three starfish and saw a limo full of wedding people.
ashlin and marcella didn't want to wade into the water to pick up a starfish that was a little ways out, so laurie volunteered. when she came out of the water, her eyes were huge and she stuck her arms out and shivered. "it's freezing!" she said. "come snuggle with me," i told her. as she made her way toward me, she looked at me, pouting a little, and said (as serious as can be) "i think i'm sea-sick."
quite the landlubber :D
when we were on the way home, marcella suddenly worried that the cat would eat the starfish. ashlin brushed her fears aside, saying "we've got them in mcdonald's cups. she'll never suspect that!"
you never know ... maple is an astonishingly clever cat.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
the dingle
the weather was perfect today - sunny and hot, with enough breeze to make everything bubbly and happy :). joey and i packed a picnic lunch and went to the dingle for an idyllic hour. we talked and read and looked at the gorgeous houses across the northwest arm.
there's something so summery about a picnic blanket and kicked-off shoes!
the water was silky, and kept being rippled by merry little breezes :)
we sat down near a cluster of starry flowers. it felt deliciously springy and fresh. i'm certainly not looking forward to a summer cooped up inside the office. three cheers for becoming a teacher and enjoying a summer vacation in the not-too-distant future!!
there's something so summery about a picnic blanket and kicked-off shoes!
the water was silky, and kept being rippled by merry little breezes :)
we sat down near a cluster of starry flowers. it felt deliciously springy and fresh. i'm certainly not looking forward to a summer cooped up inside the office. three cheers for becoming a teacher and enjoying a summer vacation in the not-too-distant future!!
the eggplant
following the trend of giving houses names (think ingleside, if you read l.m. montgomery), patrick and i decided to christen our apartment The Eggplant.
we're working on a gorgeous purple and gold sign for our front door - eggplanty indeed!
i'm happy today - it's a beautiful sunny day, the temperature is soaring to 28 degrees, and i'm heading out with my sister for a picnic! i'll try to take a picture or two to post.
hope your day is spectacular too :).
we're working on a gorgeous purple and gold sign for our front door - eggplanty indeed!
i'm happy today - it's a beautiful sunny day, the temperature is soaring to 28 degrees, and i'm heading out with my sister for a picnic! i'll try to take a picture or two to post.
hope your day is spectacular too :).
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