Years pass by!

Wow. I'm getting ready for Liam's graduation now by starting his photo book early. In the process, I've been looking at this blog to get some photos off of it. Kinda fun to read old stories about him as well. But seriously, life is almost COMPLETELY bonkers now. When I last wrote, Covid was not a word I knew. Now here we are locked in this world pandemic with people so panicked, full of fear, hate and mistrust. To vaccinate or not vaccinate? To mask or not mask? To isolate or not? There are divisive arguments between what is the "real truth", and basically it's like living in a war. Nevermind the fact that currently Russia has declared war on the Ukraine this week. I work at the hospital again and it's been full-on masks and gloves for 2+ years plus times of lockdown and then extra crazy measures as we work with our Covid patients. Travel was pretty much shut down and now remains very difficult and not worth the hassel. We also have extreme weather patterns occuring like SUPER hot summers with forest fires everywhere, freezing winters with record low temps, and then these wild rain storms that took out the Coquihala highway this fall!? I couldn't make this stuff up. And yes, if you had described these days to me when I wrote the last post I wouldn't have believed you. The kids have been resilient despite the craziness, and are overal good. I know they encounter anxieties that we never knew in our sheltered lives. They have way to much access to the "ways of the world" and all the attitudes and opinions due to the world wide web. They have spent the last few years pretty closed off socially, except for work. We haven't had many people over. We couldn't go to church, most sports/activities they did were shut down (boxing, music events, the ski hill) and even school for three months. Their jobs have given them some chances to meet people and socialize (thank goodness for that) and we have hopes that things will open up again for more events as those who have chosen to vaccinate have done so. It is time to move on (carefully so we don't over-run the hospitals), but truly we need to get to life again. Riley moved out in September, so the dynamics of our house have definitely changed. He is in Kelowna, working paycheck to paycheck to pay for the atrocious rent prices down there, nevermind crazy high food/gas/insurance prices. He seems to be happy and loves to be on his own timetable with his friends. It is calmer in our house for sure, and Liam and Shea get along great. Liam drives and works and is busy in school and volunteer work so that he isn't home too much. Hard to believe he will be gone off to university and we'll be down to only one kid in the fall!?! We're kinda waiting for life to go back to normal, but since it hasn't for over two years, we're kinda struggling to figure out a new normal. It is hard to make plans and to keep optimistic, but we're doing our best. Love to all...it's been awhile.

Merry Christmas!

When you have three teenagers, it's a whole new kind of busy. It's not the physical stuff like when they were toddlers, like helping them with their shoes, wiping their bums, assisting with lego clean up. It's now a constant clean up of food, dishes and laundry. It's sorting their lives with homework, things they need to purchase, keeping them in clothes that fit, driving them places, booking and taking them to appointments, reminding them of their lessons, activities, and family events you need them to attend. It's encouraging them to be kind, to help around the house, still teaching them different things in the kitchen, how to properly clean/make/do. It is just as busy. A different busy than before, but still busy. Then we added a puppy in the mix. Copper has been great. He has definitely added to our lives, even though he adds to the tasks. He is hard to leave, and a bit of a pain when we need to go away...but that's not too often. He loves each one of us and makes you feel special when you come home. Even if you only went out to get something from the backyard. The best part of a dog, is that they are always so happy in the morning, and he's so snuggly in the evening. We do love him. We haven't trained him perfectly and he has some quirks, but overall he's easy. We've almost had him a year!?! He loves the snow and bounces around in the deep piles like a little rabbit. He makes our many trips outdoors, and daily walks to the park still enjoyable because he's having such a great time! Christmas is on its way, and today was my last day of work til the new year. I got a facebook reminder that I was hired seven years ago today! Wow, time flies. I have had such highs and lows there, and have met so many amazing people and coworkers. I can't imagine my life without my job. I am fortunate to have had a friend get me back into the workforce and to have a part to play in society other than motherhood. I may have been ok with only being a housewife, but I am fortunate to have had the chance to be a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, and now an employee and mom for the last 7. Before that I spent a few years as a newlywed student and employee. Each stage of life has been a challenge as well as a blessing. I'm grateful for all the ways life teaches you and makes you grow and develop into a more empathetic and strong human. Merry Christmas to all! Blessings for this new year ahead!

Graduation 2019

Did this just happen!? What a blur. My once busy little boy is a tall, handsome, graduated young man. He looked so amazing yesterday. We are so proud. School was not his favorite, but he hung in there and got it done. I have no doubt he will find something he loves to do, and do it really well. I think right now the world feels wide and overwhelming, but he will sort it out. We wish him all the love and best wishes.

Copper

Just because life wasn't chaotic enough, we decided to add a dog to the mix! Meet Copper, our first puppy and real pet (other than fish and a hamster)! The name "Copper" seems fitting with the blog name, doesn't it? It has been as much a joy as it is a huge effort! Much like bringing a new baby into the house, everything has changed. Routines, dynamics, habits, spending etc. I had been putting it off this long, as I knew it would be a huge undertaking and indeed it is. I am home the most, of course, so the job falls to me most and he is my constant shadow, crying if I leave the room. He is 99% house trained now, sleeps 10-6:30 in the crate and does a few tricks, but the biting is exhausting, and needing to be on top of when it's time to go out is hard too. Not sure how people do this with toddlers, but I know they do! It has added a lot of joy, though, and he's joined me on many hikes already. I'm sure he'll have many good adventures with us. The boys haven't stopped growing, and are well over half way through this school year (sorry, it's been awhile!). Riley is pretty much graduated, just waiting on one English exam mark to be certain. Like always, he is more passionate about his friends, snowboarding, work and driving than he is about school. He goes willingly, thankfully, because he loves to socialize, but doesn't like the school work part. He hasn't made any plans for post secondary, though he has some ideas, which is fine with me as I know he's not ready to dig in and focus yet. He only just turned 17. I'm hoping he takes a year or two to work, mature, travel and figure himself out. He got his drivers license in a different city (as ours was booked til a month later), and passed his test on the first try. We were very excited. He put his Mazda 3 on the road, which he had bought with his hard-earned money over the summer. He has to keep working hard to pay for the insurance and gas, but loves it. Today he's up the mountain snowboarding, as he joined the ski team. He has dry land training for it 2x a week and also has PE this semester, so his big 6 foot 1 body is getting in shape! Liam is still in boxing, joined the Shuswap Pipe and Drums marching group, and goes skiing on weekends, so is a busy guy. He's very studious, getting straight A's. He isn't as social, but that may start up as he gets more independent. We're hoping to get out with his resume once he turns 15. Having a job will definitely open him up to new people and opportunities like it did for Riley. Shea is struggling slightly, being out of the comfort zone of elementary school. He isn't as carefree and happy, but the dog does add some new excitement for him for sure. He didn't want to do piano again, and we tried bass lessons, but he gave no effort in the practicing, so we cut him off at Christmas. He goes swimming with my mom and I and his friend every Tuesday, which is a great new activity for all of us. He is bombarded my nasty kids at school, but is a strong, confident, smart kid who will figure out eventually where he fits in. It is hard as a mom, when you see their potential and all their strengths that they don't see or put to use yet. I'm home from work today, taking one more day to recover from a nasty head cold. It has been a good job, still at Bastion Place, though can also be really tough to work with many seniors who are trying to gain strength back, but are limited due to factors out of their control. We deal with lots of grief, loss and depression on a daily basis. This is another good reason to only work part time! But overall, I enjoy the work, and being out of the home. Greg got office space downtown this past summer, and loves being out of the home more! It is a great building with a lake view. He also joined the pipe and drums and is learning bagpipes!!?! It has been so hilarious! Usually the practicing takes place on a little chanter pipe, but when he brought home the actual pipes, the noise was astounding! He has a funny Scottish teacher, who says he is doing well for how crazy hard of an instrument it is. Greg filled in and played the massive bass drum for one of their Robby Burns shows, and Liam was able to do the snare part already. Looking forward to when Greg is ready to play the full pipes with them. I'm sure it won't take him long. We don't have many big plans coming up, but we need to make some. We have our first boy graduating, our 20th wedding anniversary also in June, and summer here before we know it. I haven't spent time with my girl friends for ages, and we have been caught in that rut of work, life, stress. Another two weeks in Mexico would be amazing right about now! That was nearly three years ago!!!?!

A new phase

So much for keeping up a blog. Who has time for this anyway. I used to keep a diary too! Those days are long gone! We now are hopeful to get our big kids out of our space by 10pm so we can have 30 minutes of quiet time! I hardly have time to read anymore, and when I try, I just fall asleep. I took on a hospital job for the winter again. It was four days a week from December to April, and covered the crazy winter surge of extra patients (think flu/broken bones from ice). I loved being at the hospital and the change from my other job was nice. I returned to Bastion Place (the Pathways to Home rehab program) in the spring, so it was good to mix it up and have that ability to do so under the same employer. I don't have much of a social life these days as I'm usually shuffling kids around and keeping up with the house and continual grocery runs/cooking (after work). There are very hollow legs around this joint! We have had nearly a year of stress with family relationships and it has been very wearing mentally, spiritually and emotionally. It has altered our life quite a bit and made us question many things. There are times when we'd love to just run away from the stress of it, but we will not do that to our children. I am sure many families have their drama and I was hoping ours wouldn't, but alas. The hardest part is knowing that we can do nothing to "make it all better" and as a peacemaker/middle child, this does not sit well with me. Also, when you live in a small town, it is hard to avoid the situation and move on, as it's constantly in your face. Life is too short.

In other news, the kids are busy with their music, school work and sports. We went skiing every weekend over the winter. Now it's mountain biking season with provincials this coming weekend for Riley. He has also been working 3x a week at Panago, turned 16 and got his learners license. He is taller than dad now and filling out. School work seems to be low on his priority list, but we keep nagging! He's looking forward to working two jobs in the summer to save up money for a car!

Liam is still boxing 3x a week, he's taller than me and super strong. He has become a great baker and can whip up a batch of cookies or brownies without me. He is playing the sax and drums and performs at the BIG BAND DANCE this Thursday.

Shea is dragging his heels with piano practicing, but does just fine with it. He is performing "Pink Panther" and "Prelude in C" at his end concert. He did basketball and they won their final tournament. He's getting hyped up for his birthday party coming soon where we will take his friends bowling and have pizza. I'm bracing myself for June when he (my baby) will be graduating from elementary school and moving on to the middle school. Every occasion, like the Christmas program, was sentimental as I knew it was his last. He has a great teacher who understands him well and has helped him to make this a good year. Can't believe it's nearly over!

So Amy started us off, our first niece and now our first GRADUATE. She has always been such a cheerful, happy, girl and is quickly becoming a beautiful young lady. She has always been so inclusive of all the little siblings and cousins and has patience and love for all. She has a servants heart, and wants to become an elementary school teacher. She is amazing and we love her dearly. Many congratulations to our dear Amy!

Double digits

Now the BABY is ten. Since we moved into a bigger house, our kids have become like fish who grow bigger, depending on the size of their tank. It's like they now have room to grow, so they decided to become giants. All three of them. It's insane in one year how much they all have changed. But yes, the youngest is ten. He's still surprising us daily with his hidden talents, his witty humor, affection and his overall joy. He is the most easy going of all of us and seems to adapt to any group or situation well. He is expanding his musical abilities and we all get to watch him perform with Lauren Mann tomorrow for both a piano and drum solo. We had his annual backyard water balloon volleyball family party here on Sunday and will have his friend party on Saturday. He will be finishing up grade four here soon and is going to summer camp for the first time. He's bigger and taller than the other two were at ten years old, and he seems to have a constant appetite. I think he'll soon become the big little brother.

13 on the 13th!

Happy birthday to my middle boy, Liam! He is growing fast and has changed so much in the past two years from a standard typical kid to more of a unique and talented teenager. He has been so busy these days. Three days a week he's in boxing where he is getting super fit. It is showing in other areas where he can now outlast us all, like on the ski hill. His skiing abilities have improved majorly because he's more in shape and has also had three lessons this winter. He is in yearbook and lego robotics at school. He just started jazz band as the drummer and concert band (trumpet). He still goes to drum lessons, and in between all that he enjoys youth group and does lots of reading and homework! He's still madly ticklish (see the bottom picture). We kinda like this one. He's a keeper.

2017

Here we are, another year. Sometimes it seems like year after year, life is as it has always been, with the same things happening and the same problems over and over no matter how hard you try to fix them....fighting children for instance. And then your facebook pops ups a video from 8 years ago and you get zipped back to those baby days when life was about napping and walking the kids to the park. Life has changed and we are full force into those teen years of hormones, homework and attitude. I don't mean to paint a nasty picture, because it isn't all stress and war around here, but sometimes the majority of good gets lost in a 10 minute brawl over trying to get someone to read for his English assignment. Grr. I must say though, I love having kids that are smart and starting to surpass me in their talents and abilities. They are catching up to me in size, and actually when I was staring at Shea's unusually large thighs yesterday, I decided to measure them at their largest part, and they are only 1 inch smaller than mine! He is 9! Riley is "cracking" us up with his changing voice, and Liam is getting teased daily for his beginnings of a mustache. Oh puberty. I remember you. Life is different than when I was a teen though, so in some ways I feel so unprepared for knowing how to deal with all they are going through. For one, I wasn't and am not a BOY. For two, I did not have access to the internet, snapchat, and all the other means of learning, conversing and chatting with friends. It is so distracting for their chaotic brains! And third, our lifestyle is just so different from mine as a child. Our family was poorer, with most of our spare time involved in church activities (never sports) and a totally different family dynamic. I feel like it's all a guessing game and I'm just trying my hardest not to screw things up for them. Some moments I burst open with pride and enthusiasm for all they are and will become, and other days I just want to hide under my bed and pretend they don't belong to me! The joys of motherhood. I will survive!!! and they will be amazing.

THE BIG 4-0

So it came and it went, and now I'm 40. I feel like I've been turning 40 all year, so I'm glad it's finally over with!

So many things happened and changed this year, and though it was overall an amazing year, it was very stressful too. I am glad we don't have so much on our plate this December (a year ago we were going through restoration of the basement and endless showings of the house). I am busy with my new job and just getting through each day with the kids and their individual needs and sports/homework. Nevermind the usual laundry, cooking and cleaning! I have yet to buy any Christmas presents, so I guess I'd better get on that! I hope you are enjoying the final craziness before Christmas is upon us!

AIR TIME!

Workin' girl

I haven't had much of interest to put on this here blog. My days are so full of mundane tasks, which really aren't blog worthy! We have been busy and just finished hosting a massive thanksgiving weekend with my family. Other than that, I'm busy driving the kids to and from their activities (sports and music). I wasn't really enjoying the "on call" work, and have been quite lonely, so I decided to apply for a permanent part time position. I got the job and start next week! It is at the "Pathways to Home" program of the seniors home. It is a wing where most of our 6-8 clients come from the hospital, but are still too weak to go home. It is our teams job to get them back into shape, and doing their daily activities again. Some clients have been in the hospital for months and have that condition where they've been babied (institutionalized) and don't even know how to put their own socks on anymore. It takes a bit of hard work, but generally our clients get strong enough to get back home. I'm excited to be part of the team and hope it isn't a challenge to juggle the work/family life.

Happy 17th, Amy! (our first baby)

Amy is the leader of our slew of children. The oldest of our nieces and nephews, the first baby we loved as "our own blood". I still remember meeting her for the first time, and now she is in GRADE 12, learning to drive and as tall as her mom. Yikes. I guess I am getting old after all.