tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208953582024-03-23T14:31:43.374-04:00Mom's Musingsmomsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.comBlogger1007125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-21530001581419542252023-09-16T16:36:00.001-04:002023-09-16T16:36:25.221-04:00Quality of Life and Hard Decisions<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LDvSyKpOuu8RVRkPu_G3tpC5vnDQvP2ieo4md1VhGRxiehW64yi4U5VyPwOIeWLXc_w-NLNpmntQQ8JyMVq7uqqUBIj4KeNfg4JvLHcvoadCAOdeZo_Ns55Pt1bbcj5xjgEjUCcgtP_6Tivcd65qcKYv0XHCBIKectBppCNXggyJibg0mLtd/s1800/Collage_2023-09-16_15_29_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LDvSyKpOuu8RVRkPu_G3tpC5vnDQvP2ieo4md1VhGRxiehW64yi4U5VyPwOIeWLXc_w-NLNpmntQQ8JyMVq7uqqUBIj4KeNfg4JvLHcvoadCAOdeZo_Ns55Pt1bbcj5xjgEjUCcgtP_6Tivcd65qcKYv0XHCBIKectBppCNXggyJibg0mLtd/s320/Collage_2023-09-16_15_29_20.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a while since I've done an update here, and I feel like I have more thoughts then I can put up on social media, so here I am...</div><div><br /></div><div>As some may know, I was diagnosed with stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma in January 2022. I went through with the initial treatment of chemo and it was hard. I ended with a stem cell transplant to lock in my remission for as long as possible, as this is an incurable lymphoma. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been going through the recovery period since then and doing the maintenance immunotherapy that was prescribed and I have been sick for the better part of a year now.</div><div><br /></div><div>It started in October 2022 and I have had every respiratory infection, 100 times worse then anyone else, along with digestive issues, lightheadedness and not being able to function properly. It has been a long year for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh the first day of school my mom called me an ambulance, I couldn't move, I could hardly breathe and I was vomiting. They paramedics got me on oxygen straight away, my sats were under 90 and I was rushed in. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was scary, I was terrified. They asked me again about ventilators, end of life, did I want everything necessary done if needed for life. Who was my pet of attorney for medical reasons... what a whirlwind.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't eat or drink for almost 2 days, was hooked up to IV, Oxygen, had an X-ray a CT scan, and received 3 heavy doses of two different antibiotics. I nearly passed out during IV placements and felt awful for the staff.</div><div><br /></div><div>They said I had pneumonia and they wanted to clear it out as quickly as they could. I was admitted to a private room. I was then told that I also had Covid, so was isolated and everyone who came to see me had to gown and mask. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was finally able to start eating again, then they switched me from antibiotics to steroids and I had to start monitoring my sugar levels (steroid induced diabetes is my thing). </div><div><br /></div><div>I lost the ability to smell and taste my food, but it felt good to be able to eat again. I was starting to be able to breathe again then my IV line blew up in my arm. They had to remove that one and use the smaller one today had found for my CT scan. </div><div><br /></div><div>All this time, I was worried that my lymphoma had returned and I was beside myself at the thought of staying the brutal treatments again... </div><div><br /></div><div>The oncology team had a look at my scan and said that it didn't look like it had come back so that was relieving. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really started to feel better and after about 7 days I was feeling like I haven't felt in years! I was so happy at the idea of coming home and getting back to life with the kids. </div><div><br /></div><div>During this time I started connected with the group of people that I met on facebook who all have or are caring for loved ones with MCL and we were discussing the different treatments.</div><div><br /></div><div>When the first diagnosis came, I knew nothing, I was scared, looking at the end of my life, and I just blindly followed the plan. It was the right thing at the time for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I'm questioning this maintenance part of my journey, I understand the desire to stay in remission for as long as possible, and to do anything possible to get there, but when do we stop and say living a quality life is more important then the treatments?</div><div><br /></div><div>I have had a good week to process this all and I am planning on stopping the remaining treatments. I'm tired of being sick, not being able to get up and move around, being in bed so much and just not living. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some people may not understand this part, buy I'm starting to understand the "quality of life" concept that I've always had a hard time with. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is time for me to live and enjoy and create memories with my family, to look forward to trips, to enjoy planning and cooking and having silly movie nights. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm looking forward now to going back to work soon and I feel like my head is completely clear again!! </div><div><br /></div><div>It has been a long time since.</div><div><br /></div><div>And if I don't get the full 5 year remission that was potentially going to happen, and I only get 3, I will have had 3 years of good living before going through the next set of treatments. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm good with that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhow, these are my ramblings for today, I'm feeling so good and clear, organized and healthy, and my mental state is in an amazing place right now.</div><div><br /></div>momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-46735899989587055932022-04-21T22:15:00.005-04:002022-04-22T07:50:03.433-04:00The Questions That Knock You Out<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf-nZ96-Djq2eUTnPsFdP0DZGcYe7dcAR6Lc2KtsTQfCDb2OaMBfOeSaTCj8HBOmELGC3YH5q8xrMeQNxx73vEJidP5PneIDfFFtdrV670bzseoJslSUf5_cs3pGCcI-HxfJlJgKZDHAo02J5ZB2it3IzAR7JhBSTV8HpVTxcCZzRQPHGYQ/s4000/IMG_20220408_164415092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf-nZ96-Djq2eUTnPsFdP0DZGcYe7dcAR6Lc2KtsTQfCDb2OaMBfOeSaTCj8HBOmELGC3YH5q8xrMeQNxx73vEJidP5PneIDfFFtdrV670bzseoJslSUf5_cs3pGCcI-HxfJlJgKZDHAo02J5ZB2it3IzAR7JhBSTV8HpVTxcCZzRQPHGYQ/w240-h263/IMG_20220408_164415092.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I'm currently in the hospital again, my 4th round of chemo, second of three for this r-dhap round. I felt much more comfortable coming in this time round because it isn't new, I kind of had an expectation of how it works so that has made it easier. <p></p><p>I was, however, completely caught off guard with the one question I was asked this time. I think it is the first time for this one. </p><p>"If extraordinary measures need to be taken, do you want us to take them or do you want to be DNR"? </p><p>I couldn't answer him, I couldn't find the words. We have talked about this as a family, what my wishes would be, who is the substitute decision maker, what I want and what I don't want, because this reality is here. </p><p>But that specific question... There are so many other parameters to take into account... How can I make that decision on the spot? </p><p>I answered yes, take all measures... But even that answer has consumed me since it was asked. </p><p>How do we decide, not knowing the situation, that DNR is right or wrong? What if you would live a completely normal life, it was just some fluke? What if you say yes, do everything and you end up with no quality of life? How can one decide in an unknown moment? </p><p>I'm not worried, I know I'm going to be fine and that isn't going to be an issue, I know that I am receiving the most amazing medical care, I know the plan that is in place for the remaining treatment has proven an amazing and long outcome, even without a cure...</p><p>I just got caught off guard...</p><p>We all have an expiration date. They are different and none look the same. How do we choose to live before then? </p><p>We make the choice to savor every moment, complain less, be thankful more, notice the small things, cherish everyone, reach out to others when you feel prompted. </p><p>We all go through life with different battles, different struggles, different lives, but we all need to choose to live one way or another.</p><p>I choose to live as though I'm alive, instead of living to die. I'm going to have an impact in this life. I want to hear that I've changed people for the better...</p><p>What do you choose?</p>momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-86403578843332169612022-04-15T18:40:00.004-04:002022-04-22T03:16:01.784-04:00Effects of Chemo - The Fatigue is Real!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEZH5XlpeVyUanYiPG3Ch7A2ObIckhltJ5LUSzaqgni1e_oR8Kom_SQBUbXqT8alLQRJWDVH-4WhpumwRTQDZaLB0T0GSORgzdB6sFh85AU3XcUd58rpaVMQ04cM8fKmm7B0ip5MAGhz0yB6MTae4Tvfz1Axk9nvahISRfnzCz3yM527fuA/s3000/IMG_20220411_065203674_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="3000" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEZH5XlpeVyUanYiPG3Ch7A2ObIckhltJ5LUSzaqgni1e_oR8Kom_SQBUbXqT8alLQRJWDVH-4WhpumwRTQDZaLB0T0GSORgzdB6sFh85AU3XcUd58rpaVMQ04cM8fKmm7B0ip5MAGhz0yB6MTae4Tvfz1Axk9nvahISRfnzCz3yM527fuA/s320/IMG_20220411_065203674_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I am getting ready for my 4th Chemo treatment. <p></p><p>I am feeling tired and exhausted all the time. Some days I really don't want to get out of bed, but life ya know...</p><p>There doctor has said that they may need to delay my next treatment until numbers come up and the fatigue subsides a bit...</p><p>I don't think I've ever really understood what true fatigue is, it is literally not being able to move, not even to just pick up something across the room, it is being so out of breath just going up the stairs, it is laying in bed and feeling like you disappear into the bed...</p><p>I don't know if it is because of the treatment or if I'm just falling down a dark hole again... I've been replaying everything from the beginning - did I make the right choices? Should I have waited and gone through the process to preserve eggs so we could attempt a pregnancy after? Should I have said yes to the clinical trial that was offered to me? </p><p>Everyday lately this is what has been in my thoughts. It is real. These questions make me sad and I find myself on the verge of tears a lot. </p><p></p><p>I get up though and go through my daily life. I take care of the kids the best I can. I go to functions, I drag myself around because I know I can't just sit and stew about decisions that can't be undone. I try to put on that face and make sure everyone knows that I'm ok.</p><p>I feel ok and I don't feel ok. I don't know how to describe it. I want normal and I don't want normal back. I want to go back to work and I don't want to go back to work. I'm so mixed up...</p><p>I've had to answer questions at the hospital that involve substitute decision makers, end of life planning, what things need to be in place in this case... I don't feel like I'm old enough to have to make these choices. How does one make these choices when they are just diagnosed and at what I consider "not old"? I should still have decades to make these decisions.</p><p>The way I'm feeling right now, the fatigue, the exhaustion, the body pains, it makes these conversations hit harder all of a sudden. </p><p>I know I'm a fighter, don't get me wrong. There is too much to live for... And number 1 on the list from my therapist was "stay here" so that is the plan, but I'm struggling a little bit...</p><p>And tomorrow is a new day, and maybe I need to talk to the doctor about medication again, and I know I'm going to be ok, I'm just struggling a little more then I would like...</p><p><br /></p>momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-4029259056517126092022-04-10T19:25:00.006-04:002022-04-22T03:15:12.669-04:00The C Word <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sscM2k942xmVjbDBUA0b0vNSQEJyqCFJTvIanmkWjkTStotuhP_Gwsjpp5ZDIH57bohM47IYvg6m0zSVjs5qMn3AUG3joUAGYJgSIyRM2KkDmm8l7YnLkn3lB61x__xNGvnRTZpAkgGVVn-VUQNjtqZJ40RjkENosFTeSZI9gOqEE_-rvQ/s4000/IMG_20220117_171857685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sscM2k942xmVjbDBUA0b0vNSQEJyqCFJTvIanmkWjkTStotuhP_Gwsjpp5ZDIH57bohM47IYvg6m0zSVjs5qMn3AUG3joUAGYJgSIyRM2KkDmm8l7YnLkn3lB61x__xNGvnRTZpAkgGVVn-VUQNjtqZJ40RjkENosFTeSZI9gOqEE_-rvQ/s320/IMG_20220117_171857685.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This is a post I wrote when I first was being diagnosed...I hadn't decided to share it at the time, as I was still processing everything. I am thinking I'm going to start working through this right now and this is a good start:)</p><p>February 5, 2022</p><p>The C Word that I'm referring to is not covid, but cancer...</p><p>Processing... I'm in this stage of a big change in my life and I'm processing. </p><p>I knew something was going wrong since December of last year and I pushed my way through multiple visits to the ER. Finally after 4 of these visits, I was sent for a CT scan. I went for the results immediately and was told I had some swollen nodes in my throat. I was referred to an ENT to be seen immediately for a biopsy. </p><p>That was exactly when our family contracted covid and the biopsy got bumped. I finally had it last week and got the results on Monday, January 31... </p><p>"Consistent with B Cell lymphoproliferative disorder"</p><p>I just sat there, alone, listening to this... Because we aren't allowed to have a support person in during covid. I asked the doctor to repeat it and she let me look at the page. </p><p>She talked about the cancer center team that would be in touch with me and about the forms of treatment - medications, radiation etc...</p><p>That was Monday. </p><p>Tuesday I received phone calls from the team starting the intake process. </p><p>Wednesday I spoke to the hemotologist and set up 3 appointments and picked up a medication prescription.</p><p>Thursday I took pain meds and lorazepam and headed in, for the first time, to the cancer center. I was having a bone marrow biopsy, in the chemo clinic. </p><p>I was on the verge of tears walking through. Seeing so many people there. Knowing that I am now a cancer patient. I had the biopsy, which was really stressful and not fun, but necessary and had bloodwork completed. </p><p>Friday I went for an echo and a full body CT scan. I should know the formal diagnosis hopefully by Monday. </p><p>These are the facts. These are the realities. </p><p>My anxiety has been high, my blood pressure today was 151/100. I'm trying to breathe and cope and manage. It isn't easy.</p><p>I cry a lot. I screamed in my car last night. I'm scared, but at the same time I feel like I am no different. I don't feel like I have cancer. I am happy that I am getting help so quickly. I am a mixture of so many random emotions.</p><p>I feel like I'm going to need an outlet through this process. I'm going to do some journaling here on my blog when I am overwhelmed or processing. </p><p>Feel free to follow along as I take this new road...</p>momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-55508336204274287732022-04-04T08:18:00.011-04:002022-04-22T03:14:23.480-04:00For Such A Time As This<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU7bSG3vr6xgFeUomQHjiMYPzx9khTwt3FyOCU_2Wr9xKRUBcbrwKzeUJi1Y5LHwxdQWQ7KFN_LmLg1aRBeZtCgFPRlghX-2qRzDjCxXA9_QXx4Z1TnVYcYBLb2wd5mnmTM-xnk_SKhnygx0aWbZlcT7R3UOxEKYmvOjQuv10SWH3aADsOw/s3000/IMG_20220327_190118959_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="3000" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU7bSG3vr6xgFeUomQHjiMYPzx9khTwt3FyOCU_2Wr9xKRUBcbrwKzeUJi1Y5LHwxdQWQ7KFN_LmLg1aRBeZtCgFPRlghX-2qRzDjCxXA9_QXx4Z1TnVYcYBLb2wd5mnmTM-xnk_SKhnygx0aWbZlcT7R3UOxEKYmvOjQuv10SWH3aADsOw/s320/IMG_20220327_190118959_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />For such a time as this, this is found in Esther 4:14. It was said as a means of encouragement to Esther that she had been created for the very purpose of being</span><span> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">queen, for such a time as this.</span><div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have had this verse in my heart for a few days now and I feel like it must be there for a reason.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">For such a time as this…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">How could this verse mean anything to me, in the part of this journey that I am in? I'm not a queen, I'm not ruling anything, I'm not in the same place that Esther is, but it keeps calling me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">For such a time as this…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm maybe gaining a better understanding of what this verse means to me, right now, at this time in my life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This past year has been a long and eye opening year for me. I have been through some personal struggles, my husband and I have been through some relational struggles, we have experienced losses and griefs that not many people know about.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been a long year. But it has been a year that I can now look back on and piece together some insight into where I am now and where I am headed…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And "for such a time as this" makes sense all of a sudden…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">We started a year ago trying to conceive a child. This was a dream that both my husband and I had. There were some obstacles in the way, and while we walked the path that we thought was correct, it was not successful. A lot of money, a lot of medications, a lot of testing and a lot of our life revolved around this. I'm not sure that many people can understand the impact that secondary infertility can have on a couple, but it is real. We cried, we have grieved, we have been angry at God and still hopeful for possibilities and miracles…but it wasn't meant to be. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This process seemed to change me. I began to close into myself and cut myself off from a lot of people, even those that I loved dearly. I needed time to process what was happening in my life, in our life and figure out what my priorities were. It became a little bit lonely, but gave me the time to think and just be still and quiet. I felt like I was teetering on the verge of depression and I knew I couldn't go back there again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then in what seemed the next moment, there was a new issue that arose</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in our marriage.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This one is private, it is for us right now, but it consumed every part of us. We sought out counseling, we took steps that were necessary, we screamed and cried and grieved again. We questioned things and we questioned ourselves. With help, we are continuing to rebuild our marriage and make it strong and unbreakable. We are not perfect, we are not ever going to be perfect. The difference is, we know how to fight fairly, we know how to ask for what we need, we know that it takes a lot of work and not being afraid to be open with each other. We continue to be a work in progress.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After starting individual counseling, I realized that I needed to work on me. How can I be a good person, a good mom, a good wife if I hadn't dealt with my past hurts. That is also a lot of private stuff, a lot of things that I hid away and just hoped would not resurface. Little did I know, it needed to come up. I am still working through my past but I have at least acknowledged things. I have forgiven people. I have forgiven myself. I can see how doing these things have and continue to change me. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Things were starting to look up again…then the whirlwind hit.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surprise!! Stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma. Because we obviously have not dealt with enough this year…what's one more issue? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking back, I can see all the things that we thought were so awful in the moment, were leading us to this part of our journey. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we had been successful with conceiving, how would I feel having to choose between a baby and my treatments? I couldn't imagine how that would feel…that is what you see on TV and you think, what would I do? I would never want to be in that position. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm thankful that it worked out this way. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I hadn't started to pull back from people and take time to be quiet with myself, I would not have been in a position to be strong enough to manage this diagnosis. I grew a lot over the summer, I became more independent and more confident in who I was as a person on my own. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm thankful I had that solitude when I needed it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fact that our marriage could have fallen apart at the next point, but we have chosen to fight for us, together, has given me a partner who is standing firmly at my side, supporting me through in ways that some people may not see. He lets me cry with him, I can talk about my fears, I can be open about my true feelings and he still loves me. We are not perfect, as I said, but we are real and our love is real.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm thankful our marriage had a shake up in order to show that we are in this for the long haul, together.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Individual counseling for me, just solidified the fact that I need to keep working on myself. If I'm going to be a strong person, a role model, I need to be healthy in my mind, body and spirit. I'm still getting there, but I'm moving forward. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm thankful that I've been able to dig deeper into my beliefs and know that I'm coming out a stronger person. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lymphoma…this one incurable and rare, yet treatable and liveable. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For such a time as this…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We need to change how we see life as it passes us by. We need to recognize that while God knows we may be angry at times, and scream at Him in frustration, that He is with us in it all. He walked beside us as we cried and grieved, as we struggled and fought, as we learned and grew and He is here with us now. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He has never left us, and people may question how I can follow and love a God that isn't just "healing" me right now, the thing is, I can see the big picture. I can see how He has held my heart through this all. I can see how He is continuing to help me through this. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do I pray for full healing, yes, I do. But I'm also praying that my life can be some kind of an example to those that are struggling out there. Those that are grieving, those that are crying and screaming and yelling…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I know this isn't over, this is just the beginning, I have a long road ahead of me. Exhaustion, fatigue, nausea, hormonal changes, major interventions and hospitalizations, I still want to be me, I still want to be real, I want to bring hope and love and laughter to everyone. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to be a light in this dark world…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For such a time as this, I'm here for such a time as this...</span></p></div>momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-19186342765970152642020-06-14T09:48:00.002-04:002020-06-16T16:26:05.855-04:00Epilepsy and The Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Faith has had a lot of struggles in her life, but she (and we) push forward and through whatever tries to come our way.<br />
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Last summer was a particularly difficult summer. Faith was having, at one point, over 100 seizures a day. I took six weeks off work to be with her throughout the med trials and changes.<br />
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The school year had been so much better. Back into a routine, growing, learning by leaps and bounds... Not very many big seizures at all. It seemed that everything had settled in her body.<br />
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Now, we have this pandemic, routines are out the window, the world is opening up a little at a time, and we thought, hey let's go for a BBQ and let Faith go for a quick dip in this pool:) (all while taking appropriate precautions, don't worry;)<br />
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Faith loves to swim, it is her all time favourite activity. She jumps in and is having so much fun, then all of a sudden says she's having a seizure.<br />
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My sister and I, both trained in physical restraints, managed to get her out of the pool fairly easily and we laid her down to let the seizure run it's course.<br />
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She came out of it, rested and was back to enjoying and entertaining is all!<br />
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I was looking up swimming effects with epilepsy, and saw this..<br />
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I've never heard of photosensitive epilepsy, but now I'm wondering if this is something that Faith may actually have? It says it is rare, but we seem to be the rare family... I wonder if Ontario has this kind of testing?<br />
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<a href="http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/hospital-services/diagnostic-neurophysiology-eeg-emg/evoked-potentials">http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/hospital-services/diagnostic-neurophysiology-eeg-emg/evoked-potentials</a><br />
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Has anyone else experienced this? I don't want her to have to give up the one activity that she loves so much!!<br />
<br />momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-66533402924050791972020-06-04T12:19:00.000-04:002020-06-04T12:19:52.027-04:00Christians and GovernmentWow, another post...<br />
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I have some things rolling around in my head and I am going to work through them here. Bare with me on some of these thoughts.<br />
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I'm so proud that my girls made the decision to attend the Black Lives Matter March in our city (over 20,000 people showed up!!). It is something that we talked about before they went. What were their reasons, could they verbalize them if approached by someone. Did they understand the risks involved with the ongoing pandemic. Did they understand the risk of a riot, just in case that happened and what would they do in that instance? I sent them with PPE and they brought their signs, that they spent the night before painting.<br />
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This whole situation has opened the door for some amazing conversations to take place in our house. We have always been an open family. The kids have been raised to be independent thinkers. Even if their beliefs or choices go in a way that myself, or others, don't agree with. They can stand up and speak with confidence why they believe what they believe. Their world view is bigger than their own backyard. I'm pretty proud of them.<br />
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There have been lots of discussions popping up around these marches that are happening around the entire world, in support of Black Lives Matter. Positive discussions, negative discussions, opinions etc...<br />
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As a Christian, it has really bothered me that so many can say "the government has put in these social distancing rules", "no groups of more then 5" etc... And are coming down on Christians for going against the authority of the government. Discussions about how protests are allowed, but attending church is not.<br />
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First and foremost, I believe that church is not a building. Church is not having coffee in the lobby before or after service, church is not only in one place...WE are the church. Believers are the church. Church can be in your house, your workplace, in nature etc... We need to continue connecting with our church families, checking in on each other, supporting each other the best we can. We need to remember not to let the lonely slip through the cracks.<br />
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I also understand that people not being able to attend a service in a building yet can attend a protest, seems unjust to some. Both matters are important yet drastically different. We are currently in a pandemic, yes. Attending church means sitting side by side, for up to 2 hours. Means touching items, chairs, toilets etc...a protest is a one time event. People respected each other, everyone wore a mask and it was outside. Will there be a rise in positive numbers? Maybe. Does the risk outweigh the benefit? I personally believe so... My opinion.<br />
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Now, if I'm correct, the Bible is full of instances of people standing against the government. I grew up listening to Bible stories reenacted on cassette tapes... Yes, I said cassettes!!<br />
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One example that I can think of, off the top of head, is the story of Moses. He was born during a time of Hebrew slavery. In order to curb the potential to lose power and control, the Pharoah ordered all Hebrew male babies to be killed.<br />
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Moses family hid him, until they no longer could, then they placed him in a basket, in the river, and he grew up in royalty.<br />
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Had Moses family not gone against the governments order, how do you think the story would have ended?<br />
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This is only one story, one example.<br />
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The people who change or rewrite history aren't often the ones who sit quietly and wait... They are the ones who stand up, who speak up, who are willing to take risks... They are the ones who see others, learn from others, mourn with others and fight for others.<br />
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That's it for now... There may be more later!momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-91361212921197597522020-06-03T20:48:00.000-04:002020-06-03T21:38:45.472-04:00The struggle of a Pandemic with Special NeedsWhat a struggle this has been.<br />
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We are going on 3 months of staying at home. No school, no activities, no more routine, no more friends, no more human interaction outside of immediate family...<br />
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No more.<br />
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For a typical person, for a family with typical children, this can be, and has been a struggle. Explaining to your child why they can't see their friends, why there is no more school, why their after school activities are cancelled, is hard...<br />
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Explaining this situation to a 12 year old, whose hormones are raging, and has an acquired brain injury, that has affected all 4 quadrants of her brain, is next to impossible.<br />
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We already are experiencing so many new issues with Faith, that have been starting to show through more and more. Things such as obsessive behaviours, violent outbursts, inconsolable tantrums and potential increased seizures. On a normal day, these are difficult to manage, but dealing with these new behaviours during a pandemic is hell...and I mean actual hell.<br />
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We have tried to create a new routine, we have tried the online schooling, we have tried to do some new activities, we have video calls to friends... We have tried everythng. We have exhausted every option...we are done...<br />
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Today was particularly rough... Spent the morning with Faith, even took her to a store (second time in almost 3 months) she got to pick a hair colour, picked a new water bottle got her hair dyed, hung out with family, played in the yard with bubble's and toys etc...<br />
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She was having a great day...<br />
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Then I had to go out, I have other kids in the house to parent, and was gone for less than an hour...</div>
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This is what I came home to. </div>
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Today is not an atypical day for us...this is what life is like during the pandemic, for our family. As an essential worker, who needs to go out to work and enjoys working, this is especially tough.</div>
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This is our struggle, and I'm sure countless others in our situation...</div>
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It is tiring</div>
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It is exhausting</div>
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It is like there is no end in sight</div>
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It is hard</div>
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It is beyond hard....</div>
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And we haven't even hit the summer yet. </div>
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I'm not complaining about my life, and I love my daughter. She brings so much joy to our lives. I wouldn't change any of it. I just miss our supports. I miss our friends. I miss the connections we have that help to keep me sane during the hard times...</div>
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I miss life how it used to be and can't wait until we can regain some semblance of that back...</div>
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momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-58159118489506750062017-11-23T10:42:00.000-05:002017-11-23T12:29:41.155-05:00You are worth it!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am so excited for the changes that have been happening in our lives, in all areas. </div>
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A big one for me recently was that I took a risk to make some big changes to my health.</div>
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It's funny, because two years ago, a friend from summer camp (many moons ago) introduced me to a great nutritional program. Anyone who knows me, will know that I have tried different things to gain my health back, so I was skeptical. </div>
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I had grown into a confident woman, who felt comfortable in her own body... And I think that is where the problem lies. Being comfortable when overweight, with no energy, and no desire to change is not necessarily the best place to be in. </div>
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One night, just out of the blue, I contacted him and said that I wanted to give it a month to see if it was something I could do... And follow through on. I also joined a 16 week challenge to help keep me motivated.</div>
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Once I started using the nutritional products, I questioned why I didn't try it earlier!! My energy levels went way up, my weight was going way down and I was feeling like this may actually be something that I could accomplish!</div>
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I am now 2 months in, halfway through my challenge, and I'm down 24lbs, I have gone from a 3X shirt to an XL, and a size 22 pants to a 16!! I feel great, I'm don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I'm not having cravings (is amazing when you put exactly what your body needs inside you - no cravings!!). I have stopped pop and Iced Capps, no more daily fast food stops, no more late night trips, just to fill the void that I was filling. </div>
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I honestly haven't been perfect through the past 2 months, I have eaten out with my kids, but it is a special day out (and my choices are different). I'm noticing what I actually consume and I have been enjoying coming up with meals that I look forward to. </div>
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I still eat everything... Just all in moderation!</div>
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I have a great support system in place and friends that help motivate me to walk, on days that I don't want to (and vice versa;)</div>
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We have been walking 5km a day, only one day off in the last month! We challenge each other, push each other and have fun doing this!!</div>
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I'm glad that I took the plunge... I'm glad that I have started this journey, I'm maybe going to be able to win a prize!! I'm also able to have some of my products paid for, just by having others join me in this journey! </div>
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These are some before and after pictures, that I'm so excited about and help keep me motivated! </div>
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My first goal was to get to "one"derland before December and I am only 5-7lbs away!! </div>
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If you are interested in joining me, and I would be glad to continue building this support network, contact me, I'm more then happy to share with you something that is working for me:)</div>
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You are worth it! </div>
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The first picture is August 2017, second is November 2017!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSha2TA10xabioJF5Y0zh_rMOJxloSqq7d0A4Qy79jYhDAbgLZ7-dBn_x97DoCqQPRiIU9d3UxmPU6vv1TmUgLLqzG0ufVokGd61Wow7xet3ITRRo-fTMgD9eK8nXhgZ97X1F/s1600/Collage+2017-11-15+13_48_51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSha2TA10xabioJF5Y0zh_rMOJxloSqq7d0A4Qy79jYhDAbgLZ7-dBn_x97DoCqQPRiIU9d3UxmPU6vv1TmUgLLqzG0ufVokGd61Wow7xet3ITRRo-fTMgD9eK8nXhgZ97X1F/s320/Collage+2017-11-15+13_48_51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2011/2017</div>
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2010/2011 and 2017</div>
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Looking forward to sharing more progress as I go along!!</div>
<br />momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-23509045110353283932016-06-15T23:52:00.000-04:002016-06-16T00:15:49.895-04:00Growth and Change<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-5751-60a7-9dc4-7ee3f4c2f15a" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is a post that I have written, let sit for a day or so, prayed about, edited and really want to share. My hesitancy with posting this has been that I don't want people to think it is written about anyone in particular. It is written from a heart that wants to share with others how words and actions can really impact peoples lives. I have recognized and caught myself in this position and an working on "closing the tap, renewing my mind and confessing God's word" over the situations in my life. Please read this with my heart in mind...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">My family and I are entering a new stage of life. We have struggled through a separation, leading to a divorce, kids leaving home, custody and access battles, the court system, the emotional turmoil. It has been a long few years, which, in the process has given us all a new view on life. A new perspective. We have grown into this place where we can feel confident that our love will actually stand strong and see us through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">In myself, I have seen tremendous growth and I have seen myself become the strong woman that I knew was there before, but didn't know how to let out...I have confidence, I have dreams, I have my self worth back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">I'm not afraid to speak up, I'm not afraid to question. I'm not afraid to stand up to those who judge, speak out of turn or even just behave out of ignorance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">I've also learned that my life is just that, mine. It does not need to be displayed for all to see. Snippets fine, but some things are better kept for ourselves. I've learned that I no longer need to justify every action I take, every move I make, I am the only one who answers for those choices and I am the one who will deal with the consequences. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">Through my separation and time spent alone, I have questioned my faith, my stand, where my strength comes from. I have left the church, come back to the church, walked away from people who were toxic in mine and my kids lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">I have learned a lot about myself, my dreams, my ambitions and how to take the steps to reach them. I am nowhere near this point, but I am constantly growing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is interesting to me now, to see where I'm at. To know what I've come through and know that I am at peace with my choices… No matter what anyone else thinks. I stand behind what I do 100% and am thankful for the small group of people who really know me and support me… But who are also there to pick me up if my choice fails. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">With my wedding date approaching, there is a whole new set of issues… Not only am I making a change to our family structure, which comes with a whole new set of fears and growing pains, but realizing that everyone else, who are not necessarily part of our family, has an opinion to share.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, while I am approaching conversations with my kids, who will be greatly impacted by this change, and making sure they are in a position where they still feel safe and that I'm not “giving them up”, I'm also dealing with comments about whether others think this is the right thing for me/us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">I find it frustrating to an extent, that people who may have been a part of my life for a period of time, whether long or short, can voice, very loudly, what they think. Can make assumptions about myself and my partner's choice. People who think they know what is best for us, yet haven't taken the time to understand what we have already been through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">I understand the extreme change that is coming. I am preparing for the “not so perfect” issues that will arise and am praying about how we are going to work through them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">Just because it has been an unconventional relationship, doesn't mean that someone else knows better than those who are on the frontlines with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">I know that our “normally crazy life” is going to become even more wild, and that we are again going to go through growing pains of sorts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">When is anything worthwhile in life easy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">We will just push through our boundaries and laugh and cry together, as we have always done. We will fight, and scream and test each other's patience, as we have always done. We will love each other hard, and never walk away angry…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">As we have always done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">We take risks in life. Getting married is a risk, having a baby is a risk, moving, changing jobs, all risks. This part of my life is no more a risk then anyone elses choices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">The people we will surround ourselves with are those who are going to help encourage us, not try to destroy us. They are the ones who will cry with us, and wipe our tears, not create new ones…and I am truly thankful for the people who have been genuinely happy for me. For those who have jumped in to help plan and add excited to be a part of our future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, if you are one of those people, you are more then welcome to join us in this part of our journey. If you are not, and I have become pretty good at recognizing who those people are, then feel free to watch from the sidelines. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">It doesn't matter how big your team is, it only matters how strong the members are!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 30.2237px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stay tuned as we grow into our new normal! </span>momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-70416744118699295402016-05-11T11:09:00.000-04:002016-05-11T11:09:59.783-04:00None Like Him by Jen Wilkin Book Review and Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DuKD6pkDS31l3PWeulKobEqCDkrlgvAKTIYbpeF1pK43abGayxcLmdQKAQwp3BasGgIg4NRjSTNVyLLo3uQFF78nrEWVCqWg2veekNc191HMZPjctrAdg-JJyDFz57BckxUU/s1600/1462978050902713587752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DuKD6pkDS31l3PWeulKobEqCDkrlgvAKTIYbpeF1pK43abGayxcLmdQKAQwp3BasGgIg4NRjSTNVyLLo3uQFF78nrEWVCqWg2veekNc191HMZPjctrAdg-JJyDFz57BckxUU/s320/1462978050902713587752.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I have only made it through a few of the chapters in this book, because my life is so crazy busy, but I really wanted to share with you all.<br />
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I know that God is different from me. I always have, but I was intrigued by this book and to dig a little deeper into some of the characteristics of God.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r7HswOirUZa4jO8f-aUJHnJjOh2RE3TDsTVwcl9KEqaiYjyglJToK2nSDuY-s6PkynVDKuWVZhnEER3lQViFsgDCE37cvTVjZ7Bh9EeiFxu9b-ZyGwWQ8Lp8rCkTkm37v6Jl/s1600/1462978253584668263478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r7HswOirUZa4jO8f-aUJHnJjOh2RE3TDsTVwcl9KEqaiYjyglJToK2nSDuY-s6PkynVDKuWVZhnEER3lQViFsgDCE37cvTVjZ7Bh9EeiFxu9b-ZyGwWQ8Lp8rCkTkm37v6Jl/s320/1462978253584668263478.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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There are some really great stories that being this home to me. I like how the writer was able to capture everyday moments and turn them in a way to show the stark differences.<br />
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It is amazing how when we think that our lives are just about us, we can turn what we are going through, what we are doing, what we see, into an avenue to learn more about the difference between God and man.<br />
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At the end of each characteristic chapter are questions that will make you think harder, and dig deeper into the realm of differences between us and to bring us to a better understanding of why these are so very important for us to know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGsocYbdhoI1QEmk23Wav0XpZhjbVcLrQ8_vtHGYe5SeE6lK857OR96UPIflSbo6f2PUIILDJk4a-pwBOdftaOJbgjXwUuuZFv5wEgY_ie72AAey3rYzHY9-EoAP9dhjWjv6q/s1600/1462978590773-715326758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGsocYbdhoI1QEmk23Wav0XpZhjbVcLrQ8_vtHGYe5SeE6lK857OR96UPIflSbo6f2PUIILDJk4a-pwBOdftaOJbgjXwUuuZFv5wEgY_ie72AAey3rYzHY9-EoAP9dhjWjv6q/s320/1462978590773-715326758.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I am excited to continue reading through this and spending time on the questions. To dig deeper and to open my heart to learn and grow more, and to build my relationship even stronger then ever.<br />
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This would make a great book for a ladies group Bible Study as well, and it would be interesting to hear others points of view!!<br />
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I have a copy to give away and I'm going to make this an easy entry<br />
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Check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CrosswayBooks/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page<br />
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And also check out where you can buy a copy of you want one and don't win at <span id="goog_1744999183"></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/None-Like-Him-Different-Thats/dp/1433549832/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459456246&sr=8-1&keywords=none+like+him+wilkin" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span id="goog_1744999184"></span><br />
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Contest entry!!<br />
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Tell me in the comments how you would use this book... Personal study, ladies group, sharing with your family etc...<br />
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I will do the draw on May 18 at 10pm EST<br />
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book to review. All opinions and comments in this post are my own.<br />
<br />momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-45652595720352769202015-06-24T01:11:00.000-04:002015-06-24T01:11:02.123-04:00Pampers Celebrates the Small Moments #BetterForBaby<em style="background-color: white; color: #878787; font-family: 'Open Sans', Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.</em><br />
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With 5 kids now ages 7-19, I can remember back to the early days...<br />
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The smell of their heads, the wiggly little toes, the milestones that they each would reach at different moments.<br />
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I miss it, though not enough to have another;)<br />
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I love this video that Pampers has released, showing the little moments in our children's lives and how much they impact even us, as parents. <br />
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To be honest, I was very close to tears watching this video...and was humming along with it as well...<br />
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You can check out the video here:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U3ay0Oysrlc" width="560"></iframe><br />
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The video reminds me of the nights that I gave up to feed, to rock, to cuddle. <br />
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It also reminds me of how fast time is flying...My oldest is almost 20!<br />
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What do you do to make life #BetterForBaby? Tweet it out and share with everyone! What a great way to celebrate those moments that we may take for granted - CELEBRATE THE MOMENTS!!<br />
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On the YouTube page, you can find links to see how Pampers makes life #BetterForBaby<br />
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<br />momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-373427892647632932015-03-28T12:29:00.002-04:002015-03-28T12:29:31.737-04:00Do You Know a Cold Weather Hero?How has this winter been for you? I can honestly say that I haven't enjoyed the cold. <br />
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Most days it was just too cold to enjoy the snow and ice.<br />
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It has also made me appreciate my "indoor" job a little more.<br />
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But there are some amazing people out there, who know how important it is for us to have our garbage picked up, our kids helped on the way to school, our streets plowed or our city kept safe, no matter what the weather.<br />
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As part of the P&G Mom program, I was given the opportunity to gift a Tide set (A Tide Scarf, Coffee Travel Mug, and <a href="http://www.tide.com/en-CA/product/tide-coldwater-he.jspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tide Cold Water Detergent</a>) to a #TideColdHero, and when I saw this I knew exactly who I would gift it to!<br />
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My parents have been an amazing part of my life, and not only do they impact myself and the kids, but they have taken on the role of impacting their neighbourhood families as well.<br />
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Both my parents are crossing guards in their neighbourhood, and I hear stories about how their mornings or afternoons went, how they conversed with the kids and parents, they know the different things that impact these families as well. <br />
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I think that crossing guards are often overlooked and just expected, but they choose to spend their time, a few hours a day, risking their lives - drivers aren't always observant; braving the elements - whether it is frigid -35 or sweltering hot towards the end of the year; and taking responsibility for all of our kids - to help them cross the road safely AND impact their social lives, and they choose to do this job, not for the money, but because they recognize the need and strive to fulfill it.<br />
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So, to my parents, to all the crossing guards, who risk their lives and brave the extreme cold/heat, THANK YOU!! Thank you for taking that role in my childs life, when I can't be there to help them get to school. Thank you for teaching my kids the social aspect of multi-generational relationships. Thank you for doing this selfless job and seeing it as an opportunity!!<br />
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You Are My Cold Weather Heroes!!<br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px;">Disclosure:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px;"> I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.</span>momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-33373522322392415112015-03-26T11:03:00.000-04:002015-03-26T11:11:30.686-04:00Believe, Belong, Behave - From a Broken Family Perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d36TrDDsgwXm_hXM4_jz1iAJDRT6UxYoCjHwIPUMdmnRtXlAsw7bUsJj_ugSEHdUylCMP66FqGFyRivUArBqxIRNF0pzjLpO9QJY0JdG48ncetl9oIb6xHMuQ1BfRkfMgKXY/s1600/photovisi-download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d36TrDDsgwXm_hXM4_jz1iAJDRT6UxYoCjHwIPUMdmnRtXlAsw7bUsJj_ugSEHdUylCMP66FqGFyRivUArBqxIRNF0pzjLpO9QJY0JdG48ncetl9oIb6xHMuQ1BfRkfMgKXY/s1600/photovisi-download.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our family has been broken. For almost 3 years now. I am finally acknowledging this.<br />
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We are struggling to figure out how to piece our puzzle back together now. Each of us is a piece and some days we seem to not fit together perfectly. It has been a sad, emotional, and upsetting journey for us to travel. We have fought, cried, screamed, almost given up and fought even harder.<br />
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I thought that I could deal with this on my own. I am the mom, I should know how to put together this puzzle that is our family. I should be able to know my kids, know where and how we all fit together and everything should just be bliss.<br />
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I realize now, that I can't do this on my own.<br />
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I heard in church, once upon a time, a sermon that talked about believing, belonging and in the end, the behaviour will line up as well. I honestly don't remember exactly what it was referring to or what the actual context was, but I have owned this now, as it relates to my broken family.<br />
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Some people know the struggles that we have been through, that we continue to go through, and I don't even want to think about what struggles will have in store for the future. These are not struggles that I share publicly, or even with all those in my circle of support, but I do share and will now share here, about how we are navigating these new waters.<br />
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We have 6 people living in our house. This is us. We have all worked hard, sacrificed plenty and continue to contribute as much as possible to get to where we are. 6 people = 6 personalities.<br />
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6 personalities that don't mesh well, a lot of the time. Something that has popped back into my mind is the phrase, "BELIEVE, BELONG, BEHAVE.<br />
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For me, it means that if we BELIEVE that we BELONG we are more likely to BEHAVE.<br />
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This year has started very difficult. The past 2 years, I think we were all still numb and trying to figure out where we fit, this year seems to be the biggest struggle. Is it that we are all getting older? Is it that we have accepted where we are? Is it that we have lost hope? I have no answers to that. It is just where we are.<br />
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Since the beginning of the year I have dealt with accepting the abuse that was in the past. I have realized the ways that I had been manipulated. I have had complete emotional breakdowns. I feel like I am still growing, still learning how to express my thoughts, still working on understanding how I arrived to this destination.<br />
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But, I have also recognized that this is so much more then just me. I always knew that the kids were going to be affected, but my thinking was wrong. I have always thought that kids are resilient. They will bounce back...they do, right? Not anymore. I am wondering if this situation, which is not ideal, has finally set in and they realize that it is not going to be "FIXED". There is no more "HOPE" for our family becoming whole again. If I have struggled so much, I am now realizing how much more they are struggling. <br />
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Everyone deals with sibling rivalry - and if you don't, then you absolutely need to share your magic secret, cause you could make millions! <br />
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However, we have grown stronger. We have more openness, the freedom to fight and love again, the freedom to have a voice, and this is where I am now struggling with how to handle all this freedom when voicing opinions, thoughts, frustrations etc...<br />
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One of my children has voiced very concerning comments, we have begun counseling because of the comments as well as the acknowledgement of abuse. We are learning to navigate through those waters now too.<br />
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But, my realization is that we are a puzzle, our family is a puzzle that is in a box. It only has 6 pieces, should be simple to piece them all together, right?<br />
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What I am learning is that while 2 pieces may fit together and another 2 may fit together, all 6 are not connecting. It is like the little knobby piece from one has been damaged so greatly that it just will not connect. <br />
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I have tried to push it in. I have tried to bend it back into shape. I have tried to gently rub the edges back into position. It's not working. The puzzle piece doesn't BELIEVE that it BELONGS.<br />
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It is that realization that someone who we love, who we cherish, who is so much a part of us, doesn't believe that they belong, that has me trying to come up with new ways to mold this piece back into shape.<br />
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I know this is just for a time. I know that we will get through, we always do. A diamond doesn't just become a diamond instantly, the fire and the process it was brings it to its glory. <br />
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We are at a pivotal place in our story and I pray that I am making the right choices and setting the right examples. I pray that these puzzle pieces can see that they belong, no matter what. I pray that we can put our puzzle together in such a way that it never falls apart again.<br />
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MISSION: <br />
To put the puzzle together<br />
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VISION: <br />
Respect, Honour and Give Life to each other<br />
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VALUES:<br />
IN THIS FAMILY WE WILL BUILD EACH OTHER UP!! <br />
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Do you have a Family Statement? This is something that I will be hanging in our house as a reminder to all of us.<br />
<br />momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-35948304194498220402015-02-23T11:24:00.000-05:002015-02-23T11:24:29.167-05:00Do You Love To #RipYourClothesOn? I Do!!In January we received some Downy Unstopables and Ultra Downy to try out.<br />
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Just the other week, when I reached in my drawer to pull out something to wear, I couldn't stop smelling my clothes! I am not even joking, this is what my exciting life has resorted to;)<br />
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But I really couldn't believe how great my clothes smelled.<br />
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I am excited to share this giveaway with you all, and I had great plans to do up a funny video with some items I bought at Joe Fresh...but the months have zipped by.<br />
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First I want to show you the great scarf that I got from Joe Fresh, I was even able to buy a shirt that fits great and is really comfy. The best part about shopping at Zehrs, where I was able to get the Joe Fresh clothing items, was that they were on the clearance rack! Their clearance had a great selection and I love that I got the scarf for the low price of 9.99!<br />
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I'm all about the bargains!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGw49Cs3jEwCr7shB92kvtA1GKjQ9VnpmyTgt14Lf7lXliTUeFQwgtF4MHBKINrAQEFPgUaBkqztyihNdWx0oIM5oOc9nl2Vg1-t7vtcvXk8bBwqw5U5yzIb5XwBa8d0wCZCm/s1600/joefresh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGw49Cs3jEwCr7shB92kvtA1GKjQ9VnpmyTgt14Lf7lXliTUeFQwgtF4MHBKINrAQEFPgUaBkqztyihNdWx0oIM5oOc9nl2Vg1-t7vtcvXk8bBwqw5U5yzIb5XwBa8d0wCZCm/s1600/joefresh.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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I wasn't sure about a scarf, but I love it so much now! Especially with the cold weather here, I do, however, have to fight my girls for it regularly, which is something new for me;)</div>
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Now, to the giveaway:</div>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="cf0b871d17" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cf0b871d17/" id="rcwidget_meedtj33" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-27495959837723353462015-02-02T15:13:00.001-05:002015-02-10T18:41:46.428-05:00McFarland Pre-Screening Giveaway 2 Double Passes!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYasAp-WhBCG4sxCH57C8kFcB0eXOGcxmNHPQXvodylkq-ZRLqMKLIOz_AyoH3jMmZzcguxPePKQ0XA5K3EcCyKKvdngk2jPoEgzOhFnhVq9UfXw9-Omh5hzYLYGCZLEcKwx5/s1600/mcfarland1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYasAp-WhBCG4sxCH57C8kFcB0eXOGcxmNHPQXvodylkq-ZRLqMKLIOz_AyoH3jMmZzcguxPePKQ0XA5K3EcCyKKvdngk2jPoEgzOhFnhVq9UfXw9-Omh5hzYLYGCZLEcKwx5/s1600/mcfarland1.png" height="148" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love when new movies come out that are encouraging and uplifting to watch.<br />
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That is what McFarland sounds like it will be. Just from the trailer alone, I could see that they are showing their spirit, their will power, their commitment and their dedication to their school and their families. <br />
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What a great movie to come out in a quiet month and inspire our own kids to strive to achieve higher then they could ever imagine. To build those relationships that come from being part of team, and achieving a goal that seemed unattainable.<br />
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I can't wait to take my kids to see this movie, and I love that it is based on a true story. These are real lives making change in our world!!<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3IsDFVg9D_U?list=PLiDdWYlke2JN2mcB4gSAh1rGnxhA_8RTs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black;">McFarland</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: black;">*As a friendly reminder- although the US has changed the film title to McFarland, USA, in Canada we will continue to use the original film title <b>McFarland.</b></span></blockquote>
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Based on the 1987 true story, “McFarland” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change. Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.</blockquote>
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I have been given 2 sets of double passes to giveaway to 2 of my readers.<br />
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The passes are for the Wednesday February 18th @ 7pm pre-screening at Galaxy Cinemas in Waterloo.<br />
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You can earn 14 entries for these passes by doing the items below:<br />
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MANDATORY ENTRY<br />
* Please leave a comment in this blog post about who you will take to this movie and what impact you think it will have on you and your guest. (1 entry)<br />
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EXTRA ENTRIES<br />
* Tweet once a day and leave the link to the tweet in the comments below (on this blog post as well): <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">"Win double pass tickets to see </span>@Disney<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span>#mcfarland<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> on Feb.18 #waterloo #kwawesome #giveaway ends 02/13/15 @ 11:59pm #sponsored #momsmusings" (12 entries total - 1 daily)</span><br />
* Share on Facebook (1 entry)<br />
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DISCLOSURE: I have been given these passes to share on my blog at no cost. All thoughts expressed in this blog post are my own.momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-21311236710876116572015-02-01T21:32:00.001-05:002015-02-02T15:18:24.527-05:00Do You Play #LIKEAGIRL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzX7KjXUP2epYXxmXAYUEJQoMHFXP2M_HzL1jM8cAOZGlzqfgPOkUfMPoT9kH_yIRFuGjx-PfHL_f-b-aVXBVl9NKdJk2qnzUI60X6M3fHRmN434DMku-6RmHe38Vk27t6K00/s1600/likeagirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzX7KjXUP2epYXxmXAYUEJQoMHFXP2M_HzL1jM8cAOZGlzqfgPOkUfMPoT9kH_yIRFuGjx-PfHL_f-b-aVXBVl9NKdJk2qnzUI60X6M3fHRmN434DMku-6RmHe38Vk27t6K00/s1600/likeagirl.jpg" height="146" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's no secret, I have 4 girls in this house, plus myself, my son is sorely outnumbered!</div>
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Each of my girls is so unique, I have an athlete, an artist, a free spirit and one with a very strong willed spirit. I love them each so much and try to build them up in their interests and encourage even trying new things as well.</div>
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With our family dynamics changing on almost a monthly basis, I have taken the time to teach my girls that they need to love themselves, despite what others may say. They need to be happy on their own, or they will never be happy with someone else. That they need to be strong and to stand up for themselves. And to be honest, I believe that each of them has their own way of doing this, they still have a ways to go, same with myself.</div>
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Our house is a very open house. When someone feels that they have been teased, bullied, made fun of, or just left out, we talk about it. We work through breaking the stereotypes that may follow them. We are a family who breaks cycles and creates better futures for ourselves. </div>
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This is what I wish everyone could see. I want my kids to embrace the phrase #LIKEAGIRL I want them to feel that it is empowering and not something to be ashamed of. Together, we can all help that change to happen. We can all speak into the lives of every girl and boy that we come into contact with and be that voice that they will hear when they use the phrase in a negative way. </div>
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WE NEED TO BE THE CHANGE!!</div>
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I love that Always has taken the lead in this change, even securing a commercial spot during the Superbowl tonight! I am not into sports and my kids are out watching the game, so I am taking advantage of the quietness right now:)</div>
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This is the commercial that has been or will be shown during the big game. It is a great conversation starter. Please take the lead in your own circle of influence and lets watch that ripple go through our family, our community, our city and the world!!</div>
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To help with the conversation, I have a giveaway starting right away, it includes a variety of Always products along with a Play #LIKEAGIRL t-shirt. The giveaway will end on Feb. 9, 2015 at midnight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr5runuK_8plw8SNujpgty1TYEfaKtaAv2D8rpD92NshKywdl71GhQNIWvaRXUiJw2wfITLZkr7EoIJrplEcRwAGEKkB6LzernXo3sPjPHR3b4VL3wZCt7F91QIzpVO0UoOV9/s1600/Always+%23LikeAGirl+giveaway+-+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr5runuK_8plw8SNujpgty1TYEfaKtaAv2D8rpD92NshKywdl71GhQNIWvaRXUiJw2wfITLZkr7EoIJrplEcRwAGEKkB6LzernXo3sPjPHR3b4VL3wZCt7F91QIzpVO0UoOV9/s1600/Always+%23LikeAGirl+giveaway+-+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="cf0b871d15" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cf0b871d15/" id="rcwidget_j1ydcyx7" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
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<strong>Disclosure:</strong> I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans', Roboto, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize.</span><br />
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This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom/#mamanPG program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada.</div>
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momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-19260699470072657662014-09-27T18:17:00.000-04:002014-09-27T18:54:47.430-04:00Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - Pre-Screening Giveaway!I have another, amazing Flash Giveaway to offer up this weekend!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbpIpl7ZFGviDXchde9og2bv4HV_3_JR1KP09IV4YHiYDqpd4XWQZi9itnOMmp6vd1BDyAmxkXdvHiZ32Tg1hz9gradv5I-uPBOYSyngxYnivNL3slgwgXqghIm-LV08P9CHT/s1600/Alexander536d08d1a65f8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbpIpl7ZFGviDXchde9og2bv4HV_3_JR1KP09IV4YHiYDqpd4XWQZi9itnOMmp6vd1BDyAmxkXdvHiZ32Tg1hz9gradv5I-uPBOYSyngxYnivNL3slgwgXqghIm-LV08P9CHT/s1600/Alexander536d08d1a65f8.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
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If you have kids, I am sure you have heard about or seen the previews for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day coming out on October 10!!<br />
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I know that my kids have been talking about it for a while now, and it really looks like a great movie.<br />
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I have the opportunity to take 3 of my kids to a pre-screening in Waterloo, on October 8, and even better, I get to give away a family pass of 4 to one of my readers! <br />
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It is exciting to be able to see a movie before it is actually out in theaters for the general public. <br />
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Because this is a flash giveaway, there will be 3 entries that you can earn:<br />
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Entry #1 Leave a comment letting me know who you would take to see this movie<br />
Entry #2 Tweet the Giveaway with the #kwawesome and the #VeryBadDay hashtags and leave a link in the comments<br />
Entry #3 Share on any other social media site and let me know in the comments<br />
<br />momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-62868904674692097612014-09-27T17:47:00.001-04:002014-09-27T17:47:42.568-04:00Stampin' Up Back to School Kit Flash Giveaway!!When my kids are invited to parties, we always make our own cards. Not only does it save on the cost a bit, but I believe that personalized cards are much nicer to give and receive. It shows that someone wanted to take the time to be creative and make something personal for a friend and that means so much more, I believe, to those who receive it!<br />
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I was offered the opportunity to try out a Stampin' Up Back to School kit and let me tell you, myself and my kids have had a great time making creations from this kit, and I know that they would love to try out some more of these great products!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB57Q5MTV_QwkCygTfT5ZQVq_ziCD4xHcDxO8nVXW95QqJYTNUE9bgYBTOvMw1EPSBOa-X2_dYmfJRylQfCUsY-oLOBrajWVpy_EPipiVnXvDIs_tp0Drd2TTx5pFJVzmVZplt/s1600/IMG_20140927_165934825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB57Q5MTV_QwkCygTfT5ZQVq_ziCD4xHcDxO8nVXW95QqJYTNUE9bgYBTOvMw1EPSBOa-X2_dYmfJRylQfCUsY-oLOBrajWVpy_EPipiVnXvDIs_tp0Drd2TTx5pFJVzmVZplt/s1600/IMG_20140927_165934825.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduxxchkMIbaSrNM3vhFsgvsfFwHcjVTRJhJEgf17Y1W2QGR7uvNykJ_noYwt6mtoZ9rvVc33dPenUzhqu6G6kv66RE408Y8HCY3kz9nGzQch3qDWbwzBa6bvcsbQsrBEk8TIR/s1600/IMG_20140927_165956304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduxxchkMIbaSrNM3vhFsgvsfFwHcjVTRJhJEgf17Y1W2QGR7uvNykJ_noYwt6mtoZ9rvVc33dPenUzhqu6G6kv66RE408Y8HCY3kz9nGzQch3qDWbwzBa6bvcsbQsrBEk8TIR/s1600/IMG_20140927_165956304.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBwdsg6XgJKllD_K3FjxYjSifgXFgBjtEOHWz8c8RdghaDcS7XsaGI_klzTQQLyTam7I6vBmFJaougpsZxqHKC91kdt6zlh2CVDny4BLn-v0ogi7VLcHsl69AQ6y5eqTnvU9Q/s1600/IMG_20140927_170214233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBwdsg6XgJKllD_K3FjxYjSifgXFgBjtEOHWz8c8RdghaDcS7XsaGI_klzTQQLyTam7I6vBmFJaougpsZxqHKC91kdt6zlh2CVDny4BLn-v0ogi7VLcHsl69AQ6y5eqTnvU9Q/s1600/IMG_20140927_170214233.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been sick the last few days, and today Faith made me a Get Well Card! I love that with a little bit of supervision and help, she can create something that is so meaningful to me. What I loved about this kit was that I was able to organize the notebook to keep track of the things that I have to get caught up on! With the date stamp, I can pick any date over the next few years and the book is so much fun, with the different colour and designed pages. It is nice to see what I have to do instead of just looking at a plain white page!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a flash giveaway to share on my page. The contest will end at midnight on Sunday September 28.</span> </div>
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The kit includes:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNjUkHExrDDm8SswUtq7Jyjsb4mKBGGQ01rcXV4eAerz-CDajhKNsyGctMiHyAk_PJtNJOkCYPQU2kWOy8DKCcFlJ79e6CJWupMeUk37e-2mQ7-HBs1uik3mTv-q8cCaPzLnz/s1600/Stampin'%2BUp!%2B-%2BBack%2BTo%2BSchool%2Bopportunity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNjUkHExrDDm8SswUtq7Jyjsb4mKBGGQ01rcXV4eAerz-CDajhKNsyGctMiHyAk_PJtNJOkCYPQU2kWOy8DKCcFlJ79e6CJWupMeUk37e-2mQ7-HBs1uik3mTv-q8cCaPzLnz/s1600/Stampin'%2BUp!%2B-%2BBack%2BTo%2BSchool%2Bopportunity.JPG" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 Everyday occasions Cardmaking kit – cardstock and envelopes for 20 cards, twine, buttons and clips, precut paper embellishments, Stampin’ Spots, 7-piece Occasions</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 Stamp Set & clear stamp block, full color Tips & Tricks brochure for making the cards and a cool, storable, giftable box.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 Documented journal from the This And That collection – debossed chipboard cover and 60 total printed sheets</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 Rotary stamp – includes dates and 12 clever and useful phrases</li>
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This is a great starter kit or even a great addition to any other stamp kits you may have!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Because this is a flash giveaway, you will have 3 ways to enter. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Entry #1 Leave a comment here telling me what kinds of cards you will make with this kit</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Entry #2 Tweet the giveaway and leave a link to the tweet in the comments</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Entry #3 Share this giveaway via one other social media outlet and leave your link in the comments</span></div>
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Feel free to follow Stampin' Up on <a href="https://twitter.com/stampinup" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stampinup" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and feel free to share your creations on <a href="http://instagram.com/stampinup" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></div>
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Disclosure: I received this Stampin' Up Kit to try out with my family. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.</div>
momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-12519163389621427232014-09-27T13:32:00.001-04:002014-09-27T13:36:36.971-04:00Hi, My Name is Ruth and I Think I May be #NoseblindHave you ever walked into someones house and noticed a smell? How about a car? <br />
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I have to admit that I don't always notice smells lingering in my house or car...I feel like my places always smelled like roses!!<br />
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Good thing I have a best friend who is not afraid to let me know that something may be amiss in my house or car.<br />
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Now that I have had my "scent-ervention" I always make sure that my place is smelling its finest. Moving into a new home with me and my 5 kids, I vowed to never have this problem again! I am excited to have people pop over, announced or not, and I want it to be welcoming all the time!<br />
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I was excited when I received my monthly P&G package in the mail and it was full of Febreze products. This was perfect timing as we have just moved into our own place and I was eager to make it look, feel and smell like a welcoming place where people can just pop in to say hi and hang out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.febreze.com/en-US/noseblind" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Febreze </a>surveyed Canadians and the results are surprising:<br />
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<li>93% of Canadians would like to know if their homes smelled bad. <strong>Wouldn’t you?!</strong></li>
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<li><strong>But we’re just too nice:</strong> only 63% of us would tell someone if their home smells</li>
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<li>48% of Canadians believe that a smelly home is the sign of a dirty, lazy homeowner. <strong>Ouch!!</strong></li>
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<li><strong>So, what are the worst home smells? </strong> Garbage, pet odours and smoking smells</li>
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<li><strong>Back on the dating scene or have a teen who’s trying to impress? </strong>For 61% of Canadians, the smell of their date’s home is a deal breaker, and 28% would make a quick exit if their date’s home smelled.</li>
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<li><strong>Excuses, excuses: </strong>36% of Canadians have either avoided visiting friends with smelly abodes or make it a quick stop.</li>
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<li><strong>Doorbell or warning bell?</strong> 37% of Canadians panic when unexpected guests drop by. <strong><em>Is your home always ready for guests?</em></strong></li>
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<li>45% of us dread visiting homes with pets because of the smell. <strong>Don’t let Fido take the blame, take action!</strong></li>
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<li><strong>Pull over, driver!</strong> 58% of people have wanted to get out of someone’s car because of its smell</li>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dKlziym4Yvk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a flash giveaway that will end Sunday at Midnight for a #noseblind kit.</span></div>
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It includes:<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #878787; font-family: 'Open Sans', Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">
<strong>Febreze Noseblind Kit</strong> (valued at $50*)</div>
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<li><strong>De-stale the air: </strong><a href="http://www.febreze.com/en-CA/en-CA/en-CA/ProductList.aspx?type=2604" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.35s ease; background: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(135, 135, 135); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #878787; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.35s ease;">Febreze Air Effects Meadows Rain</a> – $4.79*</li>
<li><strong>Refresh small spaces:</strong><a href="http://www.febreze.com/en-CA/ProductList.aspx?items=16&type=2607" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.35s ease; background: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(135, 135, 135); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #878787; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.35s ease;">Febreze Set & Refresh Starter Kit</a> – $4.99*</li>
<li><strong>Make it sniffable: </strong><a href="http://www.febreze.com/en-CA/ProductList.aspx?items=16&type=2605" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.35s ease; background: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(135, 135, 135); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #878787; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.35s ease;">Febreze Fabric Refresher Meadows & Rain</a> – $9.99*</li>
<li><strong>Rev up the freshness: </strong><a href="http://well.ca/products/febreze-car-vent-clip-air-freshener_59888.html" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.35s ease; background: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(135, 135, 135); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #878787; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.35s ease;">Febreze Car Vent Clip Air Freshener Meadows & Rain</a> – $4.99*</li>
<li><strong>Unplug their noses: </strong><a href="http://www.febreze.com/en-CA/ProductList.aspx?items=16&type=2609" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.35s ease; background: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(135, 135, 135); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #878787; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.35s ease;">Febreze NOTICEables Duel Scented Oil Warmer</a> – $7.39*</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.febreze.com/en-CA/ProductList.aspx?items=16&type=2609" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.35s ease; background: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(135, 135, 135); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #878787; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.35s ease;">Febreze NOTICEables Dual Scented Oil Refill Meadows & Rain</a> – $12.99*</li>
<li><strong>Sniff it real good: </strong><a href="http://www.febreze.com/en-CA/ProductList.aspx?items=16&type=2607" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.35s ease; background: transparent; border-bottom-color: rgb(135, 135, 135); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #878787; outline: none !important; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.35s ease;">Febreze Stick & Refresh Fresh Meadows Air Freshener Starter Kit</a> – $4.99*</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because this is a flash giveaway, you will have 3 ways to enter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Entry #1 Leave a comment here telling me about a time you realized you may be #noseblind</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Entry #2 Tweet the giveaway and leave a link to the tweet in the comments</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Entry #3 Share this giveaway via one other social media outlet and leave your link in the comments</span></div>
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<strong>Disclosure:</strong> I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.</div>
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By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; line-height: 21px;">This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom/#mamanPG program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada.</span></div>
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momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-74724534880206719092014-08-26T00:47:00.000-04:002014-08-26T00:47:37.996-04:00The Miracle of Medication<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's a story I like to tell people who say that someone's faith is not big enough or strong enough to have them not need medications or medical help of sorts...<br />
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There was this man, he was on a deserted island. The rain started coming down and the water started rising around him. He cried out to God and asked for a miracle, for him to be saved.<br />
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After that plea, a man came by on a boat and offered to take the man to dry land. The man on the island turned him down and said he was waiting for a miracle from God.<br />
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The man in the boat left.<br />
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Then, a second boat and a third boat passed by and offered the same help. The man on the island responded the same. He was waiting for God to save him, so he passed on the offers, even though the waters had risen so high.<br />
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The man cried out again to God, "oh God! Why have you forgotten about me?" God replied that He did not forget about him, and that He had tried 3 times to show him that He was sending a miracle. But each time it was turned down.<br />
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How does your miracle come? In the form of medication to help stabilize a chemical imbalance? To prevent seizures?<br />
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Does it mean that you don't continue having faith? Does it mean that you have given up on your miracle? Does it mean that God has forgotten you?<br />
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No, it absolutely does not. It means that you are accepting a miracle that God has sent - He created the Dr's, He created the science used to find these cures, even if some are only temporary, He gave someone the idea and the knowledge to make these things work to help us.<br />
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The diseases are real, the diagnoses are real, the families dealing with them are real. Mental Health Issues are not a sign of lack of faith. Christians need to break this stigma, the world needs to break this stigma...we all need to realize where the miracles really lie.<br />
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That's my story. That's how we have Faith. That's why I am on medications, along with my child. I am grateful for the miracle of medical science that the Dr's have shared with us. I am thankful to God for reminding me that I am no less a Christian or have a lesser faith for accepting medications to help us through our diagnoses.<br />
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Mental Health Issues do not define who I am, who my child is, how much or how little faith I have. It reminds me that we all have different journies in life, and it would be wrong for me to judge another for a journey I know nothing about.<br />
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That would be ignorance.<br />
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momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-40475561035841489832014-08-10T22:59:00.000-04:002014-08-11T08:18:09.764-04:00How Do You #ShineStrongI have been separated for just over 2.5 years now. In the beginning it was difficult, knowing that my relationship was over, but I got through it.<br />
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The last few months have been the most difficult ones for me. Without divulging too much of my personal life, I can say that life has really been upended for me and my family.<br />
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These past few months have shown me that I am stronger then I thought I ever was, I am more confident then I ever have been. I have had to shine through these days and keep moving forward.<br />
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It's not easy. Things never really are. I have had to look at my life, and where I want to go l, and what path I need to take next...and that is not so easy.<br />
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When this opportunity arose, as a P&G mom, to share what makes me #ShineStrong, I knew I had to be a part of it.<br />
I had so many words go through my head: confidence, independence, strength, speaking up, not hiding anymore, trusting myself, not second guessing everything. I could go on and on.<br />
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This journey that I have been on, that my family has been on, has been rough at times but it has made us stronger. It has made me a stronger woman, a stronger mom, a stronger friend. It has strengthened the relationships I have with my kids.<br />
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We are always moving forward. This past weekend, we finally moved into a place of our own. We were technically homeless. My best friend took me and my kids into her place. 2 single moms and 8-9 kids. It was just supposed to be for a short time, it ended up being 6 months.<br />
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I couldn't have asked for a better friend.<br />
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When our new home finally came to us, I celebrated. I knew that it was the right place, the right landlord, the right location and time. It is perfect. It is mine. I am doing this on my own!<br />
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Can you hear me roar? :)<br />
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I have been able to get out of debt and stay there. I have been able to get a permanent contract at a job I love. I have been able to example to my daughters what it means to be strong and what it means to know their value and their worth.<br />
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Women need to cut themselves some slack, they need to know that they can be independent and not always have to be in a co-dependant relationship!<br />
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We are women and we are strong!<br />
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This is a video that my bff and our kids made to share with everyone about what makes us #ShineStrong<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xinZT0mzHm4" width="560"></iframe>
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I'm having a Pantene bundle giveaway on my blog. It is going to just be a quick one as I am away camping next week.<br />
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To enter is easy. Just tell me in the comments what strong means to you!<br />
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I will pick 3 winners on Friday night, but I have to hear back from you by Saturday night.<br />
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Bonus Entry Tweet what strong means to you using #ShineStrong ! Comment your tweet link<br />
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Disclosure: I am a #pgmom . I have received product related to this giveaway, all opinions are my own.<br />
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By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize.</div>
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This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom/#mamanPG program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada.</div>
momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-3391436642708118752014-07-18T11:56:00.000-04:002014-07-18T11:56:09.292-04:00Join Me In The #cleanwater Photo Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love drinking water. Ice cold water. It is one of those things that I don't even think about. We turn on the tap and the water is just there. My kids love to swim, play with water guns and water balloons. We use water when we cook, every day. I never think twice about that.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We are so lucky to live in Canada with its endless supply of #cleanwater</span></b></div>
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Some FACTS about the Childrens Safe Drinking Water program:</div>
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<li>More then <a href="http://news.pg.com/press-release/pg-corporate-announcements/pg-delivers-its-7-billionth-liter-clean-drinking-water-glob" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">7 billion litres of clean drinking water</a> have been provided by humanitarian organizations across the world using P&G purification packets.</li>
<li>This has helped to save an estimated 39,000 lives in more then 75countries.</li>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">TORONTO--(</span><a href="http://www.businesswire.com/" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">BUSINESS WIRE</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">)--It can be said that nearly all Canadians enjoy an unlimited supply of clean water, so it’s no surprise that a recent survey by P&G and Walmart Canada found that 80 per cent of Canadians take clean drinking water for granted. Yet approximately one billion people in the developing world* do not have the same luxury, and diseases from contaminated water are killing more children every day than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined*. - See more at: <a href="http://news.pg.com/press-release/pg-corporate-announcements/clean-water-partnership-helps-socially-minded-canadians-giv#sthash.YwExQ8Qh.dpuf">http://news.pg.com/press-release/pg-corporate-announcements/clean-water-partnership-helps-socially-minded-canadians-giv#sthash.YwExQ8Qh.dpuf</a></span></span></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?</span></b></div>
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P&G and Wal-Mart joined together in the spring to bring one day of clean water for every P&G product purchased during the month of April. At the end of the month, P&G donated 8.6 million days worth of #cleanwater to the Children's Safe Water Drinking fund as part of the <a href="http://news.pg.com/press-release/pg-corporate-announcements/clean-water-partnership-helps-socially-minded-canadians-giv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clean Water Initiative</a>.</div>
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P&G and Wal-Mart want to continue their commitment to reach a goal of bringing more then 25 million litres of #cleanwater in a 12 month period and will once again open up the program to include EVERY SINGLE P&G product from July 16-31,2014.</div>
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To bring awareness of this program, I will be participating in the #cleanwater photo challenge. Every day for the next 2 weeks, I will be posting a photo that will show how #cleanwater makes such a huge difference in our every day lives.</div>
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<br />It is a 2 week challenge from July 18-31.</div>
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I want to invite all my readers and friends to participate in this challenge with me. The words for each day are listed in the photo below.</div>
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As you share your photos, please include: </div>
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#cleanwater, and the word for the day (Day 1 #thirst)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoEG2TvttGLwIdAHbvvj6_N4Ff250GgWHrMm6sndo-q2oZhDIC16fnqJ_AdAYSphp_Lo5-O9vwIoKfVUJ5_KnPSRhBXniOCCd7OFgkHqfDdpU2iH0-cCsEyecBmKbJ1X8t-5o/s1600/CLEAN+WATER2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoEG2TvttGLwIdAHbvvj6_N4Ff250GgWHrMm6sndo-q2oZhDIC16fnqJ_AdAYSphp_Lo5-O9vwIoKfVUJ5_KnPSRhBXniOCCd7OFgkHqfDdpU2iH0-cCsEyecBmKbJ1X8t-5o/s1600/CLEAN+WATER2.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
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As you participate and share your photos, you will be entered into a draw for an amazing P&G Prize pack and a $250 Wal-Mart gift card.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgSDH8HlLrpJTK7HjQ21C-Nn-YIKzas0TIABvh-EMoOea5WY8H1e3es_MgNMe8p3XwM16Zch_tWre6c7irY6hvtAbVtc-fZMgZUKUTPL8oJioG2DDdxwqXEE18OmLTuP0ReBj/s1600/CDW+Prize+Pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgSDH8HlLrpJTK7HjQ21C-Nn-YIKzas0TIABvh-EMoOea5WY8H1e3es_MgNMe8p3XwM16Zch_tWre6c7irY6hvtAbVtc-fZMgZUKUTPL8oJioG2DDdxwqXEE18OmLTuP0ReBj/s1600/CDW+Prize+Pack.jpg" height="320" width="265" /></a></div>
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I am looking forward to seeing everyone's photos and all of us working together to help reach this amazing goal!!<br />
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Disclosure: I am a P&G Mom. As part of my affiliation with this group, I have been offered compensation to participate in the #cleanwater photo challenge. The views, opinions and photographs expressed on this blog and in my social networks are my own.momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-55884284898977195482014-03-10T21:56:00.000-04:002014-03-10T21:56:40.830-04:00Family Financial Challenge Wrap Up #savingmadesimpleSo, the month has ended and I am still using the jars...I really do love this new way of living.<br />
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The most exciting part was actually having money leftover at the end of the month, and my bank account looked great too!<br />
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Throughout the month I have done the challenges and I have learned a lot about what is really important to me. Also, the fact that we sold our house, in 3 days, has made me look through everything and I feel so much lighter.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gail Vaz-Oxlades</a> book Money Rules, has been very inspirational for me at this time. Rules 5, 6 and 20 especially during this last week or so.<br />
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#5 is FIGURE OUT WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU. And this covers everything in my life, from possessions and what I want for the future.<br />
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#6 is SET SOME GOALS. I have really been pondering this and know that my goal is to own a home and to not be living week to week anymore. This one is also eye opening in the sense that the goals I set need to be achievable, so I won't stress while working towards them.<br />
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#20 is KEEP LEARNING AND KEEP GROWING. This is something that I have lived by in my life. Now, I am taking the time to learn about investing, to learn about making the right financial decisions, not just listening to one person, but talking to lots of people and institutions about the best place to invest my equity.<br />
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We have all cleaned through clothes, and just kept what fits and what we love (and actually wear). This is a huge feat for us, as we are always being given hand me downs. I love getting them, because it would be expensive to clothe myself and 5 kids, so they are very welcome, and now I have a great system when they come into the house, so I am not overwhelmed.<br />
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We have also switched laundry detergent. We used to buy whatever was cheapest, but now, after living in jars and having money set aside for everything, we have realized that spending a little more up front, actually benefits us in the end. The clothes last longer and look new, almost all the time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjxrmufCQOt27lCPAq1Gf8CRNd1WpQYZh4-TuJRY4SeasEomsalGcHBGja9vYxSnadBQmSW-TNaHkHmtUGx4hgf2Z3MPB3YLggZY6FH6Z6HlJvF-PC38iFC_7WGUi9px8sBpQ/s1600/Refreshing_Breeze.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjxrmufCQOt27lCPAq1Gf8CRNd1WpQYZh4-TuJRY4SeasEomsalGcHBGja9vYxSnadBQmSW-TNaHkHmtUGx4hgf2Z3MPB3YLggZY6FH6Z6HlJvF-PC38iFC_7WGUi9px8sBpQ/s1600/Refreshing_Breeze.png" /></a></div>
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I had the opportunity to try out the <a href="http://www.tide.com/en-US/product/tide-simply-clean-fresh.jspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Tide Simply Clean & Fresh</a>, which is launching this month in stores, and I wondered how I would feel, going from Tide Pods to this new one...and really, I think I am just as happy with it! I love that it has 2 times the baking soda cleaning power, so it gets the dirt AND the odours out even better!!<br />
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I have struggled this month to find a place for us to live. Years of making bad financial choices is now affecting me. My credit rating is an R (rejected!) and I have learned that between that rating and having a large family, myself and 5 kids, landlords won't even look at us. It has been very stressful and I honestly can say that I have cried almost every day for the last 3 weeks.<br />
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I have looked at rent to owns, but my income doesn't even qualify that for me, so instead, and thankfully, I have an amazing best friend, who is opening her house to my family. We are going to live with her, moving in over the next week (I want to be out of this house by March 15!!), and we are going to start <a href="http://www.debtfreeforever.ca/sm_articles/steps_to_rebuild_credit.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rebuilding my credit.</a><br />
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I am hoping to be able to save even more towards my down payment and actually be able to buy a house. Originally, I thought I would be ok with renting, but I stress about landlord issues, or my kids being too rough on someone elses house...so, I will be way less stressed if I can buy.<br />
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So, this process of having a storage unit and only moving in what we need for the next few months, has also taught us what is really important. Even my kids have learned what they really want and what really doesn't matter...a great lesson for them to learn now:-)<br />
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In the end, this Financial Challenge came at exactly the right time for our family, and I am excited to keep it going and to share what I have learned with my BFF, so she can get on board while we are living there...<br />
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Disclaimer: I received compensation for this blog post. I am a P&G Mom. All opinions and experiences stated here are solely my own.momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20895358.post-22848051712220207872014-02-22T00:02:00.001-05:002014-02-22T00:02:25.094-05:00Worth Fighting For?DISCLAIMER: I really want to write a big blog post right now about things going on in my life, but I can't and I won't. If you can't handle this post then just click the little "x" at the top right corner of your browser, and remember what your mama taught you... "if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all".<br />
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Instead, I will write about another word that has come up in my life.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever had to make a hard decision in your life? </span></b></div>
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<li>So hard that you felt your stomach churn each time you thought of it? </li>
<li>So hard that the lump in your throat would grow and grow and grow, to a point where you felt that you couldn't breathe? </li>
<li>So hard that you wanted to crawl into your comfort zone and stay there until maybe things blew over, even though you know it never will?</li>
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I'm there. I am at that point in my life where I am realizing that the hope I have held onto, the desire of my heart that this would end soon, and in a positive way, that people could learn to listen to their own voices and hearts and God and make a choice to do what was needed to be done, is crashing down.</div>
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Each brick that falls is another one of those hopes, those dreams, those desires, the longing to be wanted enough that I was worth fighting for. Each one of those bricks is another piece of me, crashing and smashing into a million pieces on the ground.</div>
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I am done with the pain. I know it won't go away overnight. It took a long time to get to this point. But, I can't let it take over me again and again and again. </div>
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It is crazy how people who don't know the situation, who don't know the story, who don't even know me as a person, can have such a damaging impact on our future. People who just run their mouths, who don't think about who can see them, who can hear them (oh be careful, little ears and eyes...), and what effect their inability to control themselves is going to have on the innocent ones who are in the situation due to no fault of their own.</div>
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To think that people don't value the contribution of the parent who a couple chooses to stay home to raise the kids while the other works, to save childcare costs and earn income, who uses their gift of low-cost living and budgeting skills, is absurd.</div>
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So, a new part of my life is starting. I am learning to let go. It is not easy to sever a relationship, and it hurts. More then anyone who hasn't been here can ever know. It is easy for onlookers to say, just walk away, don't get involved, don't dwell on it...but the reality is, I can't. I know that doesn't make sense. </div>
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I just want to be fought for and considered worth making an effort for. I want to be the first choice, not the second choice to whatever the "addiction of choice" is. I want to be loved more then the addiction.</div>
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momsmusingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05298669293810542456noreply@blogger.com5