North49th

My kids!

Love my kids to death!  Here they are...

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This is my oldest, Will.  Super great kid who drives me nuts sometimes, but that's his job as a teenager. :P

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Lauren is my buddy; always willing to go to the store, or out to take photos with me.  

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My youngest, Emma.  She cracks us up all the time and is a gem.  She is all personality!

I took these photos to put into a frame for their grandma's birthday.  Sure, I probably should have paid someone professional to take the shots but I'm cheap that way.

Filed under  //   family   pictures  

Lauren Found A New Friend

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Lauren, Emma and the cousins have found a family of toads in our backyard. Let me just apologize to the toads now for how many times they will be picked up and mothered.

Picture was taken with the Samsung Vibrant from Bel l Mobility.

Filed under  //   family   pictures  

Day At The Lake

Its always nice to get away, so anytime the Churchill's invite up to the lake WE GO!

Here's a few shots taken with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini.

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Filed under  //   family   pictures  

A Few Shots of Our New House

We're getting our new place all spiffed up, but here are a few shots prior to moving in.

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Filed under  //   family   pictures  

My Youngest is Such a Character

This is Emma and she is my youngest of three.  She is a complete ham and generally far more dramatic than the other two.

An example of the drama: Right at the end of the graveside service for my Dad she rushed over to me, hugged me and said all serious-like, "I'm so sorry for your loss".  It was a bit much but she is completely genuine, she just can't help the drama overtones.

I included a 'normal' shot just so you know it occasionally happens.

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Filed under  //   family   pictures  

Update on Dad

Things are not too great with Dad right now.  We keep on coming across road blocks and think “once this is looked after...”, but once a road block is taken care of another replaces it.

Late last week Dad was having a hard time with breathing and eating (or rather, drinking).  Anytime he drank something he couldn’t keep it down.  We figured this was possibly because of healing that needed to take place.  It turns out to have been a ridiculous fluid build-up.

On Tuesday (after waiting since Friday, arg!) Dad had a procedure to drain fluid from his abdomen.  The doctor ended up draining 3.5 litres, which is just incredible to me.  No wonder he’s been so uncomfortable!!

Dad felt better right away and we hoped this would mean a bit of a rally on his part. Sadly, Dad is just running out of strength for any kind of bounce back.  This breaks our hearts so much.  Dad is looking weak.  Mom even said she doesn’t think he’ll be able to come home.  Admitting these kinds of things may be therapeutically important but it does nothing to assuage raw feelings.

For his part, Dad has said many times he is ready to go ‘home’ and last night said he just wants to see his saviour.  Finding the words to express my mixed feelings is not easy.  We don’t want to see Dad go.  We don’t want him to suffer.

Just so that you know; Dad is in no pain at all.  He and mom really feel this is God sparing him having to go through that as well and feel that is how God is honouring all the prayers from so many friends, family and acquaintances.  Keep up the prayers for both Dad and Mom.  Mom has had to face a lot in the last couple months and has done so well, but we know she struggles at times, who wouldn’t?

A little bit of extra prayer for Carolyn would be appreciated.  As I’m sure you know, she lost her Dad just months ago and having to relive it all isn’t easy.  She’s feeling just as sad as the rest of us but has the extra burden of emotions and feelings that haven’t had much time to heal.

Filed under  //   dad   family  

My Wife Cracks Me Up!

Among all her other traits, Carolyn is extremely witty.  One small example from an I'm chat:

Me: My throat is sooooore!
Me: Going to get some fisherman's friends.
Carolyn: Awww! Sounds like fun. You're making friends!
Me: Fisher dudes are good people.
Carolyn: a little salty!

It just struck me as funny.  :D


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Dad Just Can't Catch A Break

Over the last few weeks, since Dad had his surgery, we've been waiting to see obvious signs of recovery.  The idea was for Dad to have this surgery and be able to come home while he healed up. Well, that hasn't really happened and it's getting frustrating, more so for Dad than anyone else.

Dad has had a problem with a fluid build-up and leakage.  The doctors now want to take a sample of this to find out the source.  It is most likely as a result of surgery but they need to know before they can treat it.  Whatever it is there is some infection associated, which is sapping Dad's strength.  He's been on antibiotics since the surgery but this fluid is still there.

Dad's also been having a hard time keeping food down. At first we thought it was a blockage but after doing a CT scan it looks like it may just be the infection and an inordinate amount of acid.  Doctor's are working on this.

The new obstacle is that Dad's heart isn't doing well.  He's had atrial fibrillation for a long time now, and doctors have been watching it closely but that isn't the problem now.  He has heart disease and may have some blockage.  Arg!  Dad just can't catch a break.

When you combine the infection, the lack of solid food and his heart it's no wonder he's exhausted all the time!  He is so weak it's hard to even hear him speak.  If you know my Dad, you know how shocking a statement that is.

First thing to be done is to find out about this fluid, then see what we can do for the heart.  We really want for Dad to come home, but that isn't happening for a while yet.

Filed under  //   dad   family  

Dad is Looking Better

We have a ways to go yet, but my Dad is more noticeably recovering from his surgery.  Since his surgery almost two weeks ago he has been looking so drained and hasn't had any energy at all.  Dad is normally very outgoing, but this has really knocked him down.

In the last couple days he has had a lot of tubes removed and is not on oxygen anymore, so we know he's getting there.  He'll probably still be in the hospital for a week or two, but we're finally feeling better about how he is progressing.

Honestly, there are just no words to tell you how relieving that is!  It's great to see Dad doing some exercises in bed and I know he is going to be feeling much more uplifted seeing this progress in himself.  Yesterday he had food for the first time in a LONG time and it actually made my eyes well up just to see him going to town on the mashed potatoes (they didn't have a chance!!).

I'll probably update on Dad more this weekend.  Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers and a HUGE thanks for the Butlers for organizing rides and being such a support for Mom.  Also a huge thanks to all those that are driving my Mom to the hospital in the morning and for all the offers of help!!

Filed under  //   dad   family