perfect weekend.

I had the perfect weekend.

I got off work on Saturday morning and snoozed for a few hours before heading to a barbecue at a friend's house. The boys had time trials with the go-cart, we jumped on the trampoline, we ate plenty of delicious food, and then we hung out until past my bedtime while I snuggled with a sleeping babe. Perfect.

On Sunday we had a going-away party for a friend after church. He is heading up north to work for another year so we got together to do what we always do -- chat, eat, and play.

We went to this lovely little park that I had never even heard of and played baseball, blew bubbles, ran around the playground, napped in the shade, and wrestled. Perfect.

Erik and I both had Monday off. Kaden and Sawy came to hang out for the day so we brought them to the beach by our place. Kaden and I enjoyed the shade while Sawyer and Erik played in the freeeeeeeezing cold water!

And then we played outside in the front yard for the rest of the day. Kaden was a good boy and he cooed at the clouds in the shade while Sawyer and I walked up and down the driveway with my little pram. Repeatedly. For an hour. Perfect.

I worked an overtime shift on Tuesday night and now I am back for a regular set this morning. Not so perfect, but a lovely weekend makes it that much easier (and harder...) to go to work on this rainy Thursday.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

woops

Wondering what that red band is doing on around my wrist? No I wasn't at a fair, or an adventure park, or anywhere that people enjoy going. I came home from work with that sucker. Why??

I poked myself with a needle after poking into my patient's belly. How? I don't know. If I knew it wouldn't have happened now would it? All I know is that one second the needle was nicely nestled in my patient's subcutaneous tissue and the next second it was deeply stuck in my index finger. Oh joy!

I have given many subcutaneous injections. Many. It's rare that a patient of mine doesn't need at least one over the course of the shift. This particular patient required seven over the course of the night. Something happened while I was pulling up (or about to pull up?) the safety cap of the needle and it ended up stuck in my finger. Woops.

So, I became a patient at the hospital I work at. While I was working. I spent three hours in emergency just like everybody else so this lovely little lab tech could come take my blood and then the doctor could tell me the risk of getting HIV and Hepatitis. I'll need to go back for more blood tests in 3, 6, and 9 months. Too bad I will be somewhere in South America (or Africa) in nine months!

The patient was thankfully considered low risk -- no drug use, promiscuity, or known (...admitted??) issues. I should be fine.

My patient cried when he/she realized I had poked myself. And apologized profusely for an hour after I returned from my blood donation. They also called me back at 0700 when I was about to go off shift to give me a big hug and thank me for being such a great nurse. It was very sweet.

So for now I wait and worry none. Well, I am dreading my next blood test. I hate needles.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend!  
 

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worry wart

I am so excited that Milena is having another baby! I'm excited that Maelle is going to be a big sister. And I am excited to be a part of the whole experience.

But I have been worrying a lot lately. Not about the baby. Or Milena. Or anything of vast importance, but I am nervous that I will miss the delivery. Milena has asked me to be there for her labour and delivery again and I am honoured, but I am also scared that I won't make it.

You see, my family is going to Mexico the last week of November and Milena is due December 6. That means I get home five days before Milena is due. Yes, she went two weeks overdue last time, but that was last time and this is this time.

Erik and I had been planning on heading to South America from Mexico, but when Milena told me she was expecting my loving husband willingly postponed our trip so I could be there to support Milena through her labour and deliver (hopefully a vbac) as he knows how important it is to both me and her. Since making that decision (and it's a big one for him) I have been nervous about missing the delivery anyway. And really, me not being there wouldn't be the worst thing -- a healthy mama and babe are the ultimate goal -- but the last experience was amazing and I want to be there to support my dear friend again.

I didn't realize how stressed I was about this until talking to Milena yesterday, but I really really really really really don't want to miss the birth of this currently-plum-sized-babe. I'm already sad to be missing six of the first months of his/her life. 

Have I ever told you how much I love my friends and their families? And how much I love my family? Because I do. A lot.

Little Miss: Bis Sis

My sweet Little Miss is going to be a big sister! Her Mama, my dear friend Milena, hit the 12 week mark today and is due on December 6. Yippppeeeeeee!!!!

weekend with the boy-ohs.

My nephews are gone now -- they left with their mama yesterday. I miss them already. Man 9/10-year-olds are loud and full of energy. Did I mention that they are loud?? And full of energy??

These boys also got "so bored" if they went 5 minutes without a planned activity. I sent them out into the front yard to play frisbee or toss the ball around, but I regularly heard complaints about how bored they were. They also seemed to always be hungry, but I was surprised at how little they actually ate. Just nibbled on snacks here and there. They were delightful though and I loved having them here!

We kept pretty busy over the weekend. We went on hikes, threw rocks and branches into the stream, went fishing at one of the parks (they provided the gear), went to a fair, had a picnic with our friends, had a sleepover with Sawyer and Kaden, went swimming at the pool, walked along the trestles at Kettle Valley Railroad, and went to play at the park.

Christopher even caught a fish! The pond was supposed to be catch and release, but he did a number on the little guy so they let him keep it. The park ranger wannabe even beheaded and gutted the fish for us. He was probably about 18 and so good with the kids! He showed them the liver and cut open the stomach to retrieve Christopher's worm. We fried the fish up and ate it with dinner. It was pretty tasty too.

These two girls met us at the park after fishing to have a picnic. They brought their parents with them and we had a lovely lunch. Then we all headed up to the Kettle Valley Railroad. Kev, Mandi, Sam and Milena biked it while Erik and I walked with the kids.

Aren't they sweet? The boys absolutely loved Maelle and Sawyer. They desperately wanted to be loved back, but the girls were so shy! I felt bad for the boys, but couldn't help but laugh every time they tried to befriend the girls.

Sawyer and Maelle did relent and hold the boys hand while we were walking back to meet their parents. Christopher was tickled pink he was so excited!!

Sawy and Gus Gus came for a sleepover after our walk. You can't tell in the photo, but Christopher is holding Kaden's hand. The boys frequently went and rubbed his head and face commenting on how soft and cute he was -- it melted this auntie's heart. And poor Sawy in the middle of all the boys wanting her to like them. She doesn't know any bigger kids so I can understand why she was so quiet and nervous around them.

Zachary loved holding Kaden. He was so good with him too, gently planting many a kiss on the top of his head. I come by my baby obsession honestly -- my whole family shares it.

Christopher held Sawyer's hand every chance he got. He would rub her head while he brushed his teeth, he held her hand as he played, he would brush her hair with his fingers as he chatted with the other boys... and she remained shy. She would send me many concerned glances and I would kiss her forehead and tell her it was ok. 

 And Gus Gus was his usual self. Grunty and sweet.

Sawy did warm up to the boys -- every time they walked away from her she would look at me and say "boys?" and "Chris? (kiss)". Then she would run after them... until they turned around. Then she would flee back to me and I would walk her back over.

We brought the boys to the May Days Fair in Rutland. We had church outside in the morning and then stayed for some of the festivities. We put the boys on a couple overpriced rides and I joined Zac on one because you needed to go in pairs. It was called the Zipper and it had a lot of flipping upside down and you often didn't know what was up or down. Poor Zachary did not like the ride one bit. He didn't stop talking the entire time saying things like "I don't like this. I don't like this one bit. This is not fun. I don't feel safe. This is never going to end. When's this going to end? This is never going to stop. When's it going to stop? I don't like this at all. I don't like this. I don't like this one bit. Make it stop. I don't want to be here. I'm sliding around! I don't like this. This is NOT fun." On repeat. Until the ride was done. And then he cried. It was sad and I felt bad for the poor guy, but I was laughing the entire ride through. I didn't really like it either and I tried to comfort him, but I was laughing so hard. It's a good thing my laugh is silent or I would have felt extra awful. He quickly recovered and we then watched an awful wrestling match and I giggled the entire time because I felt so uncomfortable.

Lindsey and Ade met us at the fair. Look at my sister carrying my nieces (two girls!!!!!!!!). She's 26 weeks and looks awesome! Then Shar came and took the boys home. And that pretty much sums up the weekend.

I have missed having my nephews around and I'm glad they could come for the weekend. I hope it happens more often!!

Music Monday

How do you do? A drizzly Monday in Kelowna I'm afraid to say but we made the best of it.

I've finally had the time to listen and digest some new music. Things were getting pretty busy round these parts in the last few weeks.

This is a brand new band to me but it seems that they have a decent following already. Also a good helping of interesting and skill. I'll definitely be researching more of them.

This is Apparat with The Soft Voices Die



Until next time, keep your inside voice alive.

EDO

camping out

I met my sister at Britton Creek this afternoon, halfway between my home and hers, to pick up my dear nephews and one of their friends. I brought the three boys home with me hoping to take them camping for the weekend. It's supposed to be cold and we were planning on driving up the mountain to camp so we decided that wasn't the best idea. The boys begged us to set up a tent in the backyard for them. And so, like any good Auntie and Uncle, we did.

And now? The tent is set up right outside our bedroom window so it's almost like we are camping with them. I would love to be cuddled up in the tent with them, or in a tent beside them, but our tent is small (Shar just brought hers home as we'd opted out of camping) so just the three of them managed to squeeze in.

We aren't camping with them, but I can hear Zachary, my 10-year-old nephew, reading to the other boys. It's very sweet and makes my heart swell up with love.

I'm excited for a weekend with these boys.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a long weekend!  

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way too much fun!

I know I'm going out of order, but these pictures are too cute to not share immediately. I tried to hold off until I was done with the weekend, but I can't resist any longer.

Erik and I drove home on Monday and went for a barbecue with friends. It was gorgeous! And hot! And we set Sawyer loose in the sprinkler. She was a little hesitant at first, but once she got into it she had way too much fun (if there were such a thing).

The photos speak for themselves, but I will add that I love this age. When two-year-olds are good they are very very good. They are hilarious and oh-so-adorable.  

She is sweet.

our weekend away

Erik and I had a wonderful weekend away! A wedding on Friday evening brought us to the Lower Mainland for the weekend and we decided to make the most of it. Every time we go "home" we find ourselves running around trying to visit with as many family and friends as we can. We love doing this, but find that it gets tiring. We wanted to take a weekend for ourselves... or at least partly for ourselves.

The wedding was in Fort Langley and it was absolutely beautiful! The bride looked stunning. The groom was beaming. And it was a lovely lovely wedding.

We spent the night at my brother's house and left after breakfast to go and hike the Chief. Wow, I am out of shape. We took many short breaks on the way up, but we made it and the view was well worth the effort.  I even ran into a friend from high school on the way up! I hadn't seen him in five or six years so that was a pleasant surprise. 

We stayed at the top for an hour enjoying the view, chatting, and recovering (at least I was recovering) and then we battled the crowds to get back down to the vehicle. It was busy and why wouldn't it be??

We decided to stay at the Howe Sound Inn which is conveniently a part of the Brewing Company. My brother and his wife were planning on joining us for the evening as my SIL had to work till 3:00pm so we went off to check out the town.

Checking out the town took a matter of minutes -- we perused a couple second-hand stores (I found all the Little House on the Prairie books in one store!!) and enjoyed a little snack. We then returned to our room for a nap on the window seat. The sun was shining in, there was a pleasant breeze coming through the open window, and I passed right out. It was perfect.

We only had most of one day to ourselves, but it was a good day. More of our weekend coming up a bit later.

Music Monday

Hi. Sorry we were away on a lovely weekend holiday.

Have you heard this one yet? They used it for the new Assasin's Creed video game.

Woodkid - Iron



Until next time...

E

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend!  

*** *** ***

a little pick-me-up

I had a hard time sleeping because I couldn't stop thinking about my patient's family and praying for them so I need a little pick-me-up before work.

Self-care: something we had to learn in school. And I'm glad we did because I often have to remind myself to take care of me.

So my pick-me-up -- my days with the girls. Shocker, eh?

I'm thinking this probably just be photos; my energy is running low. As I mentioned earlier I had Little Bean for a a day and a night. She's recently potty trained and I feel like she has grown up so much since then. She looks less like a baby without a diaper on.

Maelle joined us on Friday and we had a play date all day -- just the three of us. These two really are besties and they play so well together. We spent much of our time on the toilet because Maelle would want to sit on it after Sawyer did. And then Sawy would ask to go back on. We read many a book in that bathroom. Me sitting on the side of the tub with whichever girl wasn't on the toilet in my lap. I'm not going to say no when they ask to sit on the potty.

Sawy and Maelle are quite mischievous together.  The photo below is Maelle gagging on a wooden circle (don't worry, it was much too big to swallow). They'd been biting on the circles and then started trying to put them all the way in their mouths.

This quilt provided at least an hour and a half of entertainment. They would wrap each other up in it, crawl under it, jump on it, jump under it, and cuddle up in it.

See, I told you they were best friends. I had told Sawy that Maelle was coming to play tomorrow when I put her to bed and it was the second thing she asked about in the morning. "Maelle???" When Maelle did arrive Sawy went crazy! She was jumping on the couch and running around. It was pretty cute.

The girls went down for their naps at the same time, but Maelle slept for an hour longer. Sawyer was asking if we could wake her up the.entire.time. I ran out to the car to put Maelle's carseat in it and came back to find Sawyer had done just that, woken Maelle up. She had gone into my room and was excitedly hollering, "Maelle! Maelle! Maelle!" How could I be mad?

Little Miss stayed over after we brought Sawyer home. We had a lovely little sleepover and she slept so incredibly well! And she went down so incredibly easy! The easiest she has ever gone down for anyone ever. All three times I put her to sleep. I may not be a mama, but this Auntie can work some magic. I'm happy to say my techniques really paid off because I think Maelle's parents are implementing the same or at least similar ones and are continuing to get great great results.

And now I may be late for work. Ciao!

it feels wrong

I left work this morning and prayed that my patient be dead when I return this evening.
It felt wrong.
Praying for him/her to still be alive feels worse.
My patient is sick.
So very very very sick.
And the family is in denial.
They want the doctors to do everything they can.
And they have.
There is nothing left to be done.
My heart aches for the family.
They love their family member so much and they can't see that he/she is dying. 
I wish my patient would get better.
But that's impossible.
Next to impossible, at least.
I want him/her to have a peaceful death.
Surrounded by family and loved ones.
That won't happen.
When I left my patient this morning he/she was incoherent and responding to only pain stimuli.
Temperature was 39.7.
I couldn't get a pulse or a blood pressure.
Respirations were 36 per minute.
Blood sugar was 28.6.
That may not mean much to you, but it means he/she is sick.
So very very very sick.
And on the way to the OR in a last ditch effort to appease the family. 

I know the family isn't ready to say goodbye.
I would love for them to come to terms with what is happening with their loved one.
I would love to facilitate the grieving process.

But I'm torn.
I am a nurse and my patient comes first.
They have to.
The family unit is considered my "patient", but the one in the hospital bed is my priority.
And this particular patient is sick.
And the family needs to let him/her go.

I'm sad to say that we keep many people alive too long.
I don't want to sound insensitive or heartless.
I have never lost anyone very close to me and I don't know how difficult it is to be a family member clinging to a loved one you aren't ready to say goodbye to.
But I do know what it is like to sit there and watch a patient suffer because their family can't let go.
I do know how terrifying and painful it is to watch every move make someone writhe in pain.
I have looked into the eyes of a person knocking on death's door and pleading with me to take their pain away.
I have watched people gasp for breath and panic when they feel the next isn't coming.

I have also seen people peacefully passing from life into death. 
I have seen families accept the inevitability and focus on sharing the last moments with the one passing.
I have seen families celebrating life until the last breath is drawn, helping their loved ones ease away.
A loving and accepting family won't necessarily make death less painful or terrifying for themselves or the patient, but they can certainly make it... I can't think of the word. 
Death is never easy, but it can be beautiful.

This is what I hope for this family, though I am not expecting it.
At the end of the day, I hope my patient is at peace.
And I hope his/her family is there to support each other when the time does come.


I am writing this after being up for more than 24 hours so my thoughts may seem cloudy. For this I apologize. I do not mean to offend anyone and I hope you won't think less of me. Feel free to ask questions or leave any comments you may have.

Music Monday

Hello Mondains. It is that time of the week and I'm that kind of guy.

It has been a while since I've posted from My Brightest Diamond. Since then I've listened through their entire album and I've got to say, if you like dramatic opera mixed with pop mixed with punk mixed with classical mixed with I-don't-know-what, then this is the album for you. Every song is a different flavor but still so good.

Like this one:



High, Low, Middle.

Until next time, keep your self low but not too low.

EDO

lovin it.

The sun is shining, spring has sprung, and I love it! I love this time of year!

The garden is growing but the rain to sun ratio is perfect so I don't need to water it too often.
It's often warm enough to keep our doors open.
It's cool enough at night to cuddle up and sleep under the duvet.
The sun is shining in the morning when I wake up -- even if it is cloudy for the rest of the day.
The grass is green and lovely.
I don't have to pull out my "summer clothes" yet to see that they don't fit me... again. Darn womanly body. 
Trees are blooming everywhere.
Everything is blooming.
There is the distinct smell of barbecues everywhere. 
Temperatures of 20 degrees are considered hot.

Those are just a few things. Again, I'm off to work!!

pretty much the same.

There may be an entire year between these two photos, but they are pretty much the same.

We had Sawyer over on Thursday night. Then both girls were at our place all day Friday and Maelle slept over on Friday night. More on that later. I'm off to work!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend!  

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