I'm Back!

Wow...can't believe how longs it's been since I last posted! I have been doing great. Two of our children have been away for the past month at Grant's parents, so life has been a little less busy. We are heading out on vacation this weekend. We are taking Tim to camp and then heading to Grant's parents to spend several days for a cheap holiday. Nothing like freeloading!!

Sarah and Nicholas have just finished two weeks of swimming lessons. Sarah only has one more level to do before she takes the lifeguarding level. She's hoping to finish the two levels during the school year so she can work next summer as a lifeguard.

Since I have been on my stress medication, I have been loving my job even more. I am so relaxed that I am now happy when no one is in for the day! Quite the change for me! The church is getting a lot busier as they have hired a Minister of Music. He has been planning for a concert series, and I have been helping coordinate a lot of the details to get the advertising out to the churches and the neighbourhood. I have also had to design the tickets, do a ton of photocopying, etc. So much for the quiet summer that the pastor anticipated!!!!

I had plans to upgrade some of my computer skills to an advanced/expert level....maybe next year!! I need the weeks holiday to deal with the newsletter that will need to be done when I get back - usually they are at least 14-16 pages and I have to do the formatting and find all the clip-art to make it look professional. The girl before me did an awesome job, so I have to follow in her footsteps and keep up the look! It keeps me out of trouble, and anyone that knows me, knows I need to be busy!!!

We spent one week at a Bible camp that my parents are working at this year. Since I was singing and playing for the Sunday service, we were able to use a trailer for the week for a cheap price. It was quite the treat not having to log along all the camping gear! Tim could have lived out there all summer he loved it so much. He helped mom and dad with the tuck shop twice a day as that was part of their duties at the camp.

Rachel just finished her summer school and is looking forward to a nice relaxing month before school starts again. She is in her last year - soooo hard to believe!!! She is thinking of going to Bible school in Peterborough next year so she will be close to Grant's parents.

Oh yes, I have also been working out a ton. One of my friends that lost 120 lbs has been a fitness instructor for the past 10 years. She decided to offer me free personal training if I would advertise her and not give up and keep going! So I am on Week 11. So far I have lost about 33 lbs and have gone down about 3 clothes sizes. I have packed up all my larger clothes and given them away in hopes I never see them again! 4 garbage bags full gone so far. It's a nice excuse to go shopping for some new clothes. I do about 45-60 minutes of cardio every day of the week, plus three times a week I do 45 minutes of weights. I have been following the eating plan my dietician wrote up for me too, so in combination it is really helping me make headway. I feel so much better, and can race to answer the phone now without being winded. I'm hoping to lose another 60-70 lbs.

Well, that's it for now! Hope to hear from some of you soon! I'll see if Grant can take a picture of me soon to update you on my progress.

Debbie

Tim

Please pray for Grant and I as we continue to work with Tim. He has started a new medication because the school was concerned and wanted him more compliant. It takes 2-4 weeks to start working, so this past week was a little rough. A kid called him a name, so he hit him on the back, and called him a name back. Then later, for no reason, he went over and gave the kid a kick. Its hard for Grant and I to know why he's doing these things, but we have told him the rules and he has strict consequences for it. Now he has been given a suspension for Tues-Thursday this week, so with Monday being a holiday and Friday being a P.A. Day, he is going to be out of school all week.

Fortunately, just before I left the principals office, the Educational Assistant remembered that there was a half day program where kids can go to do their school work during a suspension, and they also have a child youth worker that tries to get to the bottom of what is causing the child to be so upset and angry at school. We are going to send Tim to it on Wednesday and Thursday morning this week - it was too late to get him in for Tuesday. The school will fax over his work for the day and they make sure he gets it done.

He has made two new friends which is a blessing so when he isn't being punished, he is outside playing a lot, but on the days he is suspended, it is a very draining time while he has no T.V., computer, electronics, etc. He is only allowed to read, play with small toys, and draw. Losing his friends is his biggest upset. We are also waiting to hear back from the local agency that is going to have a social worker meet with him weekly to help him with his anger management and his social skills.

We are praying that his new medication will also be helpful - when he was on it previously, he became a very compliant, easy to manage child.

Keep us in your prayers! My medication for my panic attacks and anxiety is helping me to cope with this whole situation.

Easter

Happy Easter to everyone!

We went to my parents for the weekend and had a very relaxing time. We saw all my family except for Brenda and her husband and children. I planned an Easter egg hunt for the smaller kids outside - they loved it. Then Grant hid some small candies for the older kids inside - he made it hard and they thought it was awesome!

We took the kids swimming on Saturday afternoon at a pool in Cambridge that had a water slide and a rope that you can jump onto and swing into the deep end with. Grant decided to try and be a kid again and joined the boys swinging on the rope several times. Later in the day he was complaining of pain in his side - think he pulled something! He denies that he may have pulled a muscle with his "childlike" behaviour!! I have had a great time teasing him all weekend about his Tarzan immitation!

We went to church with my parents this morning. Each person was given a large nail as they came into the auditorium, and at the end of the message the speaker asked each person that wanted to to bring their nail down and place it at the foot of the cross to represent the sin that each one of us has been forgiven for, and to remember the grace that God has for each of us. There were hundreds of people going forward with their nails and placing them at the foot of the cross. What a great reminder of God's grace and forgiveness and how we can't do anything to work our way to heaven - its a gift from God. It was also an invitation for people to give their lives to God if they hadn't before.

We had a great weekend, but home looked so good tonight! And the cat was happy to see Sarah home.....she babies him!

Women's Retreat

I was so stressed before I left for the Women's Retreat that I almost didn't go, but I decided to take one of my "quick-acting" stress pills to see if it would relieve my terrible head pain, and within a bit, I felt quite a bit better. I went with my two friends, and by the time I arrived, had supper and hit the pool, I was starting to feel quite a bit better. We had some great laughs that night, and by breakfast I was starting to feel more like myself.

The retreat was great. The speaker was excellent, but the music was my greatest de-stresser. We had two delicious meals catered by MBC's cook, and we also met some women from other churches. I didn't want to come home to face the stress again, but here I am!

We had the Word of Life group at our church this morning doing a musical presentation. As I arrived into the church, the youth pastor nabbed me and asked if I could play the piano today! He can be a bit disorganized at times, but that's ok. I only had to play a hymn, so it wasn't too painful!

This afternoon we had Tim talk about the bullying that is going on at school, and he finally gave us some more details than we had had before, so we were able to write it all down to give to the principal. Kids are so mean, and because of his immaturity, sometimes he does things that bring more trouble to him. One kid was pretending to be sick a the table at lunch, and Tim heard him tell the other two kids that he was going to pretend to get sick so he could get Tim in trouble. It worked - Tim got upset when he pretended to be sick, and instead of going to tell the lunch aid, Tim pushed the kids chair, and then the three boys that were sitting with him headed down to the office to report him. Kids are so mean. When Tim is away, his only friend was apparently saying mean things about him, and of course, the kids had to let Tim know that too. Now he is back to not having any friends in his class, but he has some friends in the lower grades, but isn't allowed to go to their side of the playground at lunch or recess.

To keep him away from everyone, they are putting him in the kindergarten room at morning recess to help, and are going to have him help in the office at lunch, as well as assist the Caretaker. I feel so bad for him, but at least we are getting him to tell us about some of the things kids are doing to him. Keep praying for him and for us. He has multiple learning disabilities as well, but they were still expecting him to carry the full load. They are finally saying they are going to lighten his course load. He wants me to homeschool him again, but I can't with working, and with Grant's jobs being inconsistent, its not a good idea.

Grant is trying to spend more time with Tim doing some fun things. They are out playing scoop ball now which hopefully will tire Tim out!

Better go for now.

Debbie

Update on my life!

I caught an ear/sinus infection several weeks ago and was off work for two weeks, other than doing the basics like the bulletin, etc. from the couch. What did we do before laptops??

Just as I was feeling better, Tim started having some problems at school, and was sent home numerous times in one week. Kids know what buttons to push, and were trying to pull his only friend away from him. As a result, he finally ended up out of school last Thursday. They are meeting with us tomorrow to see what our options are. He has been going into the special ed class instead of taking French recently, which has helped him some, but he still is having the same ongoing problems with the kids in his class. We are going to see if he might be able to go to another school with a more specialized program to accommodate him. Pray for us tomorrow if you get a chance.

I have started some medication for stress. I have always worried a lot - more at some times than others, but I was awake more nights than not going over all the things that might go wrong, and it was affecting my life. Danny and Kathryn both have medication as well, so the doctor started me on some this past weekend. She said it takes 4 weeks to get into full effect, but I feel a little better. I have had some other quick acting pills to get me through the toughest times until it is in full effect.

I am going to be breaking free this weekend though, which should be great! I'm going to a Ladies Retreat with two other ladies. Doubtful we are going to get much sleep, but it will be so nice to be kid free, and to relax in the pool and just de-stress with wonderful meals made for us. Being catered to is so nice and infrequent!

My inlaws have been here for a week, so they have been a huge help.

Have to run for now - have to get the boys to bed!

Ministry

This weekend was a busy one! The pastor decided he'd like the Annual Report run off in color, so I spent 7 hours running off 205 copies, each one 22 pages! I am usually off on Friday afternoon, but I spent 3 hours of it photocopying, went back with Grant from 8-10 p.m., then was back there again from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.! Was quite glad to see the last copy printed! The upside of it is I will get time off to compensate for the time I put in, so I get tomorrow morning off!

We went to a 70th birthday party Saturday morning for a friend of ours from church. It's a great time to see everyone from church and catch up on the news! The new pastor was invited - he is a real conversationalist, and is fitting in great. We miss our other pastor, but fortunately, he is still in town, so we can continue to get together with them as friends.

Saturday night our Small Group met to watch a Focus on the Family movie where Guy Dowd talked about his teaching years and how so many kids needed to know someone cared about them. It had several of us in tears!

There is a guy who used to attend church on a regular basis, who has returned, and has his girlfriend attending with him now. He isnt' living the Christian life, but he is coming, and bringing his 3 year old daughter with him. They sit in the hallway during Sunday School, rather than attend. I invited the girl to come in to Ladies Sunday School with me, but she nervously said "no". I was on for food today at church, and hadn't gotten everything I wanted yet, so I decided to use Sunday School hour as a "friendship evangelism" opportunity. I offered to take the two of them to the store with me. They seemed quite happy about it and I bought them each a pop and some cheese strings. On the ride back, the girl started talking away to me about how they were going to be moving to a semi-detached home shortly. I decided that I needed to open up the doors wider, and invited them to come for lunch next Sunday. He is a lot of fun, but is a little on the "rougher" looking side! I am praying that God will use us to bridge the gap to bring them to himself. The new pastor preached an awesome message on coming back to God and the fact that we don't have a guarantee of tomorrow or next Sunday to come back to Him. And that each time we reject God again, our hearts turn harder and colder. Please pray for the two of them that God will get ahold of their lives.

A friend of mine from England is up for a visit this week - she spent several months here a few years ago. We are going out tomorrow afternoon to catch up on things!! Her and I are a little too much the same...and we sometimes attract looks as we giggle like two silly school kids! Hard to imagine, I know!!! I am so shy and quiet!

I also met up with a friend that I hadn't seen in ages at church this morning. She lives very near the church I work at, and is going to start meeting me at lunch to go for a walk. She knows me too well - she decided to take down my number as well this time, since I always lose hers and we never end up getting together!! She has lost quite a bit of weight in the past few years walking a lot, so hopefully she will get me back on track with my exercise. I just love feeling more fit - the past few months have been a disaster!!

That's all for now...I've rambled on too much!!!

Life returns to normal gradually!

Finally, I have gotten back here to post!

Life is gradually returning to normal and I am finding a few minutes to enjoy and relax.

I am loving my job at the church more each day. Had a very busy last few weeks as the Annual Reports are due at the same time as the Newsletter, plus the Bulletin, and the regular work that needs to be done. At least I haven't been bored!! I am going to the church anniversary dinner this weekend to get to know some of the faces at the church. It's kind of weird working at a church where you don't attend. It feels more like going to work - you get to know the regular people that come and go, but never see the people that work in the day!

I'm trying to get myself back on track with my eating, and have started getting up earlier the past few days to do some aerobics...have a long road ahead, but hoping to make some progress! I feel so much better when I get my exercise.

The kids are doing good. The girls are in the midst of exams, and the boys are doing speeches next week, so I've been doing homework with them...helping write the speech! I'm sure you know how that goes sometimes!!

Our home church has a new pastor that is starting next week, so we are anxiously awaiting the new changes. Change is good sometimes. Each pastor has his strength. The youth pastor has changed quite a bit since the pastor left - taking more responsibility, and has been encouraging people to stop being "idle" and to serve. I think they needed that message.

Well, better get going.

Christmas 2006

We had a wonderful Christmas! We went to my parents on Saturday and enjoyed a fun time with everyone home except for Brenda and Brent and their children. Dan and Tina cooked the turkey for mom this year, which she really appreciated!

We then went on to Grant's parents for Sunday and Christmas Day. We ate way too much there! Grant's sisters don't work so they had been busy making Christmas cookies for at least a month or two, I think! They had every kind you could think of and they were delicious! Grant's mom served up a delicious turkey meal...and as we were finishing it about 4 pm, she announced that we were having fried ham and several fancy salads for supper! We were all about to roll away from the table...especially after we had some Christmas pudding. I think it was about 8 pm when she decided to just serve up some appetizers and some cold cuts with rolls. None of us were too eager to eat another big meal! Grant and I went for a walk downtown and back and had to climb some fairly steep hills...to try to work some off, but I think it was in vain after all that food!

The luckiest part of the whole trip was that three of our children are vacationing with Grant's parents for the next week and a half, and my mom and dad decided to keep Nicholas for awhile. Not sure when he's coming home yet, but he is keeping them entertained. I am just working 9-1 pm during the Christmas break, so I'm enjoying that. I actually got out a cookbook today and tried a new recipe - haven't done that in ages. Grant is the lucky recipient of pork chops cooked with a sauce that includes ketchup/mustard/ginger/cinnamon/water/brown sugar - sounds kind of weird, but it smells awesome. I made up a batch of mashed potatoes and veggies, so he is going to enjoy that! Amazing how the energy is higher when the kids are away!!!

Our renovations are all done now, and we are at the unpacking stage now. They returned all the boxes to the proper rooms, but there were LOTS of boxes, so I am just trying to work my way through them bit by bit. I am attempting to discard as much as possible so we have less clutter to begin with - kind of like moving without the move!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Hope to hear from many of you soon!