Digital Scrapbooking Pages - our kids

I've also done a few pages on each of our kids, marking milestones or enjoying candid pictures of everyday life.  (If you'd like to see the pictures enlarged, just click on each one and it will open it in a bigger size).

Digital Scrapbooking Pages - Grandma V's 90th birthday

I had posted pictures of my maternal Grandma's 90th birthday back in October but now I'm showing you what I did with those pictures!

Digital Scrapbooking Pages - Dessert Day

In January of 2010, my mom, my sisters, and myself had a fun day together making all the desserts for my niece's wedding, which was the next day.  We worked hard but also took time for things like a tea party and a delicious lunch.  It was extra special that my sister, Marianne, from Ontario was able to be there with us as well.

Digital Scrapbooking Pages - Dad's 65th birthday

I had a lot of fun with Creative Memories Digital Scrapbooking Program "Storybook.  I'll post a few of my projects.  The first one here, is of my dad's 65th birthday which was in May 2010.

The top picture has him surrounded by most of his grandchildren:)

It's been a while...

Yes, it's been a few months since I posted anything.  A lot has gone on in all different situations in our lives and I have been mulling things over, trying to process them, wrestled with some of them, and am trying to accept the limitations and situations that the chronic and unrelenting symptoms of arthritis toss into my life.  In many ways Remicade has been a life-saver.  It took a while to titrate the dose and frequency but eventually we reached a point where things were as controlled as they'd likely ever get.  The glitch to using a 'big gun' medication like Remicade is that it cannot be given if you have a cold, cough, a stomach bug, or an infection. It also can't be given if you're anticipating a procedure like a root canal or surgery.  I am prone to sinus infections and it seems that since starting Remicade they have become more frequent and harder to treat.  So in the past 4 months, I've been on antibiotics almost constantly, and not able to have my treatments every 5 weeks like I should.  I finally saw an ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) specialist yesterday and his examination as well as the results of a CT of my sinuses, showed that I need extensive sinus surgery.  He put a rush on it so I am booked to have this surgery on March 10.  In the meantime I cannot have Remicade until at least 3 weeks after the surgery and have to go off all my other meds for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the surgery.  the last time I had a Remicade treatment was on Dec 15.  Four years ago, when I had a hysterectomy and had to stop all my meds, I had severe joint flares.  To say the least, I am not looking forward to that aspect of things and thought that because I now have injectable Toradol (major antiinflammatory) at home, I'd have a way to manage things.  Unfortunately, I'm also not allowed to use that until after my surgery.
In spite of this current challenge, I've kept busy digitally scrapbooking.  I will post a few pages to give you an idea of what I've been up to.  I bought the program in early January and have already completed more than 100 12 X 12 pages.  Addicted?  I'd say so but it's a healthy addiction and is therapeutic for me.
Anyway, the wee hours of the morning have arrived and I need to get to bed.  I will try to post the pics tomorrow or another day this week:)

Nick's Baptism

Nick is a son of our dear friends, Steve & Kathy.  Sarah and Zach are his siblings.  They are a very special family and it's no accident that God chose this family for Nick.  Even before Nick was born, Steve and Kathy knew that he had spina bifida.  Since the day of his birth, he has astounded medical personnel as they exclaim over the fact that he can move his arms, talk, and breathe on his own - all things they predicted he wouldn't be able to do because of how high his lesion was.  Not only is Nick able to do all of these things, he's also been blessed with a very sharp mind and a quick wit.  He's a joy to know and it's been an honour to walk alongside him and his family through the numerous surgeries that he's had to undergo.  Their care for Nick through it all, has been remarkable  - they would not leave one stone unturned in helping him achieve his potential in all areas of life.  Nick's enthusiasm is contagious!



Nick giving his testimony

Yesterday were were invited to attend a service at their church as Nick was going to be baptised.  What an incredible time that was.  Nick had a testimony that brought honour and glory to God (and tears to everyone's eyes).  Because he is a wheelchair kid - his dad had to carry him into the baptismal font..also very touching. 







Our dear friends on a very special day.

There have been so many rough days for Nick (and his family) and it was just amazing to hear Nick testify that, through those tough times, his faith grew and was strengthened "dramatically" and that he felt God with him through everything!
It's always nice to get together with these special friends and yesterday was no exception.



Zach, Nick, & Matt
(Zach & Matt were born the same day in the same hospital,
delivered by the same surgeon  but Zach is 1 hr older than
Matt - another special time our families could share:)

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139:13-16)

Happy 90th Birthday, Grandma V!

This was a very special event as we joined Grandma for a dinner last Friday evening to celebrate her 90th Birthday!

my sister, Ruth, made this beautiful card as a keepsake for all of us



Grandma enjoying her dinner



Grandma with her birthday cake
which my sister, Sue, made:)



I think that only 150 family members were able to make it.
The other 25 or so live out of town...
all these people b/c Grandpa & Grandma fell in love!!

 Grandma V (my mom's mother), has always been a very special lady to me.  Her unconditional love for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren has been remarkable.  She also has a great-great-grandchild now but, because of her Alzheimer's, I doubt she's really aware of that.  Even at her age she still knits cotton dishcloths and makes so many of them that my mom & aunts have been coordinating the colours and making afghans for all of us (kids, grandkids...and possibly some great-grandkids will be blessed with one too).  She also does 'search-a-word' puzzles and alternates between her knitting and her puzzles every day.  She's been living with my parents for the past 4 1/2 years (since my Grandpa passed away) and it's been very special to see how Dad & Mom care for her.  She's been such a blessing to us through the years that now it's an honour and a privilege to help in any way to take care of her in her old age.  She's one of the sweetest ladies I know!

Here is a poem about Grandma's - I found it on a website and changed things a bit to suit  our special little Grandma

GRANDMA'S HANDS

Grandma’s hands were weathered
Lined by tales from the past
They’ve knit a thousand memories
That comfort me at last
With knitted blankets and dish cloths

There were many stories told
Of hopes and dreams and promises
And shelters from the cold.
Did she know as the threads tugged gently
That they would dry so many tears?
Did she know they would serve to comfort me
In times of greatest fears?
My grandma’s hands are gentle
They are strong and soft and kind
They reflect a thousand memories
Which I’m thankful that are mine.