Taking care of family difficulties

July 8th, 2011 -- Posted in family, future / dreams / goals, love & marriage, pain / disability | No Comments »

Back in September, I wrote about our family’s difficult times. It was something above and beyond what we’ve struggled with the past 3 years since my car accident, and something beyond what normal families have to cope with.

I’m ever so glad to be able to say we’re coming out the other side now, and can at least return to “just” difficulties we were having before… I know it’s not much to celebrate (going from “very very miserable” to just “miserable”), but every little bit of stress that can be relieved makes a huge difference.

Our family has worked hard over the past 9 months. We’ve struggled, we’ve argued and discussed late into the evening to the point of exhaustion! We’ve learned a lot, we’ve tried some things that failed, we’ve tried some things that worked really well. We’re growing together and we’ll have to keep at it.

But at least now we’ve reached a point that we know we’re in this together for the future… We weren’t sure if we would make it, but we’re now re-committed to living together and staying a family of FOUR.

We already had the challenges of being a blended family. Then we had to suddenly adjust to being a family with a disabled mom who isn’t able to fully parent as she used to be. When my spouse first had to step into the role and tasks that I could no longer do, he faltered. Too much was piled onto his shoulders in too short a time. There was a huge lack of help and support. But over time, he has grown into his role and become a much better dad and step-dad.

Our house may not yet be “peaceful” or “running smoothly”, but we’re getting there… We are moving out of crisis mode as much as we’re able to. There is hope. Please keep your fingers crossed (and keep our family in your prayers, if that’s part of your belief system) that our situation will continue to improve so we can stay together and be happy.

Message to June

June 5th, 2011 -- Posted in domestic engineering, family, life as a mom | No Comments »

Dear June,

I’ve got a bone to pick with you! You are by far, one of the busiest months of the year for moms of school-aged kids!

You aren’t quite spring, but aren’t quite summer. All the regular school-year activities still haven’t come to a stop, and yet the summer season of spots and activities has just started! This means parents are left juggling soccer practices alongside Beavers, dance classes (and end-of-year recitals!), swim lessons, etc.

Then there’s the teacher gifts and cards! Pressure to find the “perfect” gift to show your appreciation looms overhead the whole month, as time ticks on. I’m lucky that I’m able to design and create hand-made cards to add a special personal touch, but still this doesn’t count as a full gift. Getting the kids to sign the cards is another matter (try handing them over when your child wants to watch a TV show: “You can continue to watch as long as you work on these cards too” – yes, I know, it’s an act of desperation!).

All the spring and summer transition work continues as well… sending all the winter gear to the basement (finding all the lost mitts and wondering why so many of them don’t have their buddy!). Sorting through all the clothes, shopping for new ones (wondering why your son’s pants from last year are now all “capris”!)… it’s time consuming and expensive (my favourite combo! ).

Oh yes, June, you are full of too much work for parents, and then to top it off, you entice us outside! Finally having nice weather (especially for us Canadians who have had extended winter weather… June is the first month we can guarantee to not have snow!) pulls us outside, which is the opposite of getting things done. Well, except the yardwork… all the garden prep and grass de-thatching and starting to mow and water the lawn again. And don’t forget all the sunscreen!

It’s a wonder we can get anything done at all! I just may go on strike!

Birthday + Avery’s Comments of the Day

May 15th, 2011 -- Posted in family, future / dreams / goals, life as a mom, pain / disability, things that make you go LOL | 470 Comments »

So this year’s birthday was actually a good one… maybe it’s a sign this is my year… I may have totally stopped believing in karma and all that stuff, but signs? There may still be something there.

I was really not looking forward to this birthday at all! 30 was fun to look forward to… it was the age I’ve felt all my life! A whole new decade, new hope, new horizon. 31 is… not so hopeful. It has all the “old” with none of the newness or freshness. Worst part is, I have officially become too old for my own precious young mom website. I had to take a bit of forced backseat the past few years anyways because I just couldn’t get to the home office (or even laptop keys!) often enough though the pain, headaches, & mental fog to keep things running smoothly. But now I’ll really have to slink behind the curtain and remain backstage.

And I guess YM is a bit of a microcosm of real life… even though 31 is by no means “elderly”, I had my days in the sun way back when. With the way my health has been looking since the accident, I’m not seeing much partying or adventure in my future. Time to step back and let others star in the show. Which is ok… hard to come to terms with, for many people! But then again, that’s part of why children are around. So long as those children can be recognized for who they are and not taken as just second chances for the parents to do what they never could manage in their own childhoods, everyone can enjoy watching what the next generation accomplishes.

Anyways, enough philosophical babble and I’ll record some little details of my day that I’d like to remember down the way and that I don’t mind sharing with anyone that may still be wandering by…

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