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.

Gardening With Native Plants

My son has suffered another seizure. So tiring and discouraging. However, we have some ideas to help him heal. We just have to pick ourselves up and regain our optimism.

One way I do this is gardening. I love being alone in the silence, the dirt, the growth. I found this book at the library and love it. I want to make our yard into a native plant garden. Yes, hostas are in there right now, but as time progresses, and I learn more, I want to focus more on native plants.

Here are some of my favourite quotations:

The more disturbed or the more simplified a site, the more susceptible it becomes to weed seeds.

Carol A. Smyser

Without complexity, populations rise wildly or crash completely--that is, species become weeds or pests they become extinct.

Sarah Stein

Here are some suggestions for native plantings:

wild geranium

Dutchman breeches

wild bergamot

coreopsis

evening primrose

bee balm

obedient plant

Canada lily

purple coneflower

Happy Father's Day

Ten Reasons Why We Love the Daddy in Our House

1) He builds the best tree houses.

2) He always has an idea brewing.

3) He washed the cloth diapers and hung them on the line for two years.

4) He puts too much maple syrup on Kieran's waffles.

5) He takes Kieran on bike rides under echo bridge.

6) He tells crazy stories about the cars he's fixed and his pet pig.

7) He can fix ANYTHING!

8) He feeds the cat every evening.

9) He brings tea to my classroom everyday (almost).

10) He'll do anything for his boy--even wear bunny ears in public.

Exceptional Family Magazine

One of my columns is currently featured on Exceptional Family Magazine's new website. A shorter version of the same column appeared in The Brockville Voice back in March.

http://www.exceptionalfamily.ca/parentspeak.php

Less Gunk in Our Water is Good

Two years ago, I participated in a local movement to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides in Brockville. Then, on Earth Day in 2008, the province announced a ban on those chemicals--the very day I was to present to council. It was pretty cool.



Many residents of Brockville will recall the crazy letters to the editor about my lack of parenting skills (for wanting my child to play on grass...gasp!) or reliance on my "good looks" for political gain. It was hilarious and strange. I realized that people could really loose their marbles over something like this. I, however, was focused on what was best for my kid and all the other children in this town: NO PESTICIDES! Dandelions or neuro-developmental disorders? Hmmm...tough choice.



Anyhoo, I heard a fragment of a news report on the radio this morning about a recent study in Ontario revealing a dramatic decrease in pesticides found in local streams. Gideon Forman from The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment commented that this means levels will be lower in our drinking water. I spoke to Dr. Forman in the middle of the madness of the Spring of 2008 so it was wonderful to hear this sort of news.


It's nice when science confirms one's gut. If anyone hears more, let me know.