Six Years

Happy Anniversary, Love!

Winning Some

I never did seal the grout on this table, which means it's vulnerable to stains and such. I made the tiles when I was taking pottery at the college and they each represent a part of PEI. The tree is an image of the crooked tree that hung out over our bank--it's more of a memorial now since the tree was cut down...without my consultation. That's another story.



The centre mosaic is obviously the sun and then, fish. I painted the wood ivory and then distressed it with a palm sander. The point is, I love this table. I'm proud of it. It was a lot of work but I took something that was a little rough and gave it a new meaning.

I must admit that I was actually admiring it this morning while I sat on the couch knitting and drinking coffee. My latest gossip magazine (guilty pleasure) was waiting to be read and my laptop had yet to be turned on. The happy sounds of Kieran's play narrative filled the room.



Somewhere in my happy daydream/admiration, I heard Kieran call me. I guess I wasn't prompt enough in my answer because, before I realized his intent, he marched over and dumped my coffee all over the table.



I managed to save my knitting and laptop. The magazine was ruined and the rug got stained. With the help of my little mischief-maker, the table was salvaged after a good scrub. My lovely, relaxing morning was turned upside down in an instant and I looked at my son wondering what exactly makes him tick to do such a thing. I remember thinking that it was going to be a bad day. And I wondered if my beautiful child was a sociopath. Well, not really. But I was darn mad.

Well, this is how the day ended. We all headed to the beach for a walk after supper and Kieran chased his father's shadow the whole way. It wasn't a bad day after all. And my table is just fine...even if the rug isn't.

You win some...you know the rest...

For Mike Daoust

A husband, son, uncle, teacher, mentor, athlete, friend...

He wrote to us earlier in the week to ask how Kieran was doing.

He told us to "seize the day."

That we are, Mike.

You will be so missed.

SUMMER

It's been a frantic and stressful time on vacation. My days are packed full of chores, appointments, and activities.

For instance...

picking wild raspberries and enjoying them with some wine

hauling the canoe up on shore after a paddle (okay, Mike does that part)

casting on


eating mussels (oh, and is that wine again?)


watching sunsets

As you can see, the intesity is exhausting. I'm not sure how I'll recover. Any ideas?

With the mussels, raspberries, and apples, I keep wondering how long I can exist without going to the grocery store.

Knitting

Knitting is going well. I've actually started to complete some of my projects. I even enlisted a model to show off my latest pieces.

Here is my felted bag. When I knitted it, it was HUGE. Then, my friend Jackie felted it in her washing machine. Kieran says it would be perfect for his cars but I have other plans for it. The nice thing about bags for gifts is that one doesn't have to worry about sizing.

I also finished one half of my sock project and am delighted to report that I'm almost finished the second. The bad news is that they are quite different. Apparently, my tension has changed. One sock is a little billowy while the other is more snug. Oh well! The recipient is exceedingly pleased--except for the fact that they likely won't fit until he's ten.

All Good Things

knitting ~ driving ~ chatting with my boy for hours

no, I didn't knit a headrest cover...although, it's a lovely idea

knowing that Daddy is even more of a hero because he built Confederation Bridge

(by himself, of course)

sand castles

no words

COUSINS!

We took a risk. It was a good risk. So very pleased. So far.

Hopes and Prayer Please

We're back in that horrible place with Kieran again. His seizures seem to be closing in on him. He had another tonight. His current medication will be maxed out as of tomorrow and now we have to make some decisions. Another med? Ketogenic Diet? Surgery?

That's why this space has been a little quiet lately. But so many of my friends and members of my community read this, I wanted to share so you can send prayers and hopes for healing our way. I really believe in that. And my intuitive little boy will just know you're all on his side.

I'm trying to be positive but I'm sure you can imagine my fears. This is a panic like nothing I've experienced. I have to remind myself that this has been Kieran's life since he was born and given his initial prognosis, we've had remarkable periods of wellness. But tonight, just hours after another fifteen minute seizure, that seizure-free time seems so long ago. Just when I think I've learned something about all of this, I get the heart knocked out of me.

The other day, Kieran was playing in the mud in our backyard. I was planting my new flower garden. At bedtime, Kieran looked at me and said:

"Something made me really happy today."

"What?"

"Watching you plant your flowers."

And it's just this amazing feeling knowing that a person who is so fresh, and so new to this earth is studying me so closely. I know that I have to be strong for him. I know he's afraid and I know he's watching me.

When he asked me WHY tonight after his seizure ended, I told him that I didn't know. I told him that his daddy and I would do everything is our power to help him because we're a team.

I don't believe there's a reason for everything. Some things just suck. But I trust that we aren't alone and that's why we'll get through this.

When doors to healing open, we'll have the faith to walk through.