Friday, July 23, 2010

Day 60 - My parents are coming.... :)

:( My brother returned home with his family today.  But I'm thankful for the time we spent together.  Spending time with my beautiful niece and handsome nephew was priceless.  I'm glad that our children got along given that they rarely spend time together.  My gorgeous cousin Guido left this morning.  So thankful for the time he spared to help me and my family out.  Funny that in the short time he took care of my girls and cooked dinner he appreciated what his mum went through :).

Today was a day of the usual check-up.  My regular nurse is on leave for a week and a half and I'm missing her dearly!  Interesting that the nurses I have now are asking me where my pulse is normally taken. ???  But everything checked out okay.

I visited my workplace today.  It was so good to see my team mates.  Really miss working along side them.  I am looking forward to returning to work in 3 - 4 weeks time.  I am going to have to brush up on my employment  knowledge before I return.

My body is feeling okay.  I feel ready to do more.  My parents arrive this weekend.  We are looking forward to having them with us for a while.  I think I'll be able to focus more on my study and sleeping earlier with my mum around.  Project Driveway is still to be completed, so with my dad in town I'm sure it will be very soon :).  The nurses will be pleased.

My days are looking brighter.  My spirit feels good and I am thankful for everything that I have in my life.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Day 59 - More help has arrived :)...

My check up again has gone well, though I am tired of having to travel to the hospital each day because I would rather sleep in.  Spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with my brother which was nice.  I'm going to miss him very much.  When we arrived home he quickly baked a cake for my in-laws who will babysit my girls tonight.  It was great to watch him be so domesticated :).

My cousin arrived today and came over to cook dinner.  I quickly bathed the girls, and prepared their lunches and clothes to stay the night at their nana's.  That was enough to really knock the energy out of me.  So while my cousin prepared our meal and looked after my girls I got some rest.  I am so thankful that he has come out to help us.  He is only here for a short time but I am happy that he is here.

I loved hearing my girls getting along with their uncle.  He did so well to keep their entertained and cook a meal for us.  The dinner was delicious and my girls couldn't get enough of it. They were so excited to spend time with their uncle.

I'm feeling pretty good, though still get pretty exhausted quickly.  Already there are things that I need to get onto like study.  But with my family being in town all I want to do is spend time with them.  My parents arrive this weekend which I'm really happy about and looking forward to seeing them.

Spending time with my brother today we reminisced about our upbringing.  We talked about the things that our parents taught us.  I told him that I was amazed that the things our dad taught us I do today with my children.  An Austrian author once said that "In youth we learn, in age we understand".  Growing up I felt that my relationship with my mother would always be troubled but in spending time with my aunty and understanding my mother's upbringing I have come to learn so much more and feel so much more closer to her.  I can't wait to see her this weekend.  There are opportunities in our life that may never come around twice.  I try hard to recognise these opportunities and make the most of it.  This year I have decided to not assume the worst in situations, to let people know what I think at the appropriate time and in a way that my thoughts will be received.  I have learnt to let go and to move forward.  It is very true that our life is short so why worry about the troubles of tomorrow.  During my time of healing I have learnt to talk with my brothers and spend this quality time with them to talk about anything and everything.  I am so proud of my brothers and  to see them become the men they are today.  I love their families.  They have beautiful children and their wives compliment them.  It is great to see that my brothers are blessed with beautiful families.  It is one of many worries that parents have to wonder who their children will marry.  To have a good relationship with your in-laws is an important thing.  I truly believe that it is my responsibility for my family to have a relationship with my parents.  It is my responsibility to create opportunities for my husband and children to know their in-laws, grandparents, their uncles and aunties and their cousins.  They say that an argument between sets of parents should stay with them and not effect their children's relationship.  But that is not true.  Children get direction from their parents.  If your aunty/uncle is not happy with your mum/dad then it is natural for your cousin to not be happy with you.  It is a sad truth that this happens in life.  For any disagreement to occur between me and my brothers I make it my responsibility to sort things out with them quickly so as not to affect our children.  I think we can get so caught up in our arguments that we do not realise who it affects. I find it sad that parents allow their troubles with others become their children's.  The cycle continues when this happens.  I am glad that my relationship (and my family's) with my brothers and their families is healthy.

My brother leaves with his family tomorrow.  I am sad but I am truly thankful for the opportunity He has given us to be together during this time.  I feel truly blessed.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Day 58 - Project Driveway almost complete

My brother is doing so well.  I am definitely getting the most out of my "chauffeur" during this trip.  And I have not heard one peep from him but only where I need to go.  I love my brother so much and am so thankful for the help he is giving me and my family.  Watching him today work our driveway I felt very grateful.  I commended my brother on the good work he has done so far and he described it as "your driveway is like a canvas, and the water-blaster is like....the smallest paint brush that you can find.  It's pretty hard work" :) always the comedian.

We've just returned from dinner and I made the mistake of ordering extra entrees instead of mains and now I feel icky.

Today has been okay.  A little annoyed that I was double booked at the nurse's clinic at the hospital so I had to wait.  I talked about one of my preferred love languages being service and that is totally what my brother, my family has done for me and my family during this time.  Because my appointment took so long I arrived late to a Pastor's meeting to present a proposal for some development workshops our church is wanting to run some time.

I managed to get a few hours sleep today.  I am feeling better but need to catch up on some sleep.  I think I can do without the pain relief though the medication still takes a lot out of my body.

Today I thought about how great God is to listen to my needs.  I have always wanted more time with my family and he has blessed me these opportunities for my family to be here with me.  My body is healing slowly but surely.  My family are all well. We have so much to be thankful for and I praise God for this life that I live.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Day 56 & 57 - Project Driveway started....

My other brother arrived yesterday.  I am so happy that my family are here with me and mine.  He relaxed during his first day here :) ready to get stuck into it today.

My checks have been good so far.  What seems to be causing us a bit of grief and the nurses is our driveway.  So this week Project Driveway is under way.  My brother Junior is now spraying the driveway with some solution to loosen the moss so that it is easier to water blast.  But first he had to rid of the weed killer that was in the watering can.  It was entertaining to watch him spray not only the weeds but the trees also.  Sheesh... :)

He seems to have picked up the roads pretty quickly so he'll be off to pick up my girls from school while I have a nap.  I forgot to take my medication this morning so I was a little nervous waiting for him at the mall following my appointment while he was at the gym.  I definitely feel exhausted.

I am really keen to get back onto things but my energy levels are a little low.  I better not get a head of myself.

For now I have to travel to the hospital to have my checks and medication administered because of the issue with my driveway.  Some will be happy to know that we will look into putting up some stairs :)  But we'll see how things go.

Okay I'd better nap because I'm falling asleep while I'm typing.  So much for napping!!

My brother picked up my girls from school, cooked dinner and made dessert.  It was such a blessing to see him cook :)  Isn't it great when memories come to mind of when your younger days with your siblings? One of my fondest memories of me and my brothers lying in our beds in each of our rooms listening to Ben telling us his knock knock jokes :) and playing tag indoors with socks and skidding through the house. One time I chased after Junior through the kitchen.  As he passed through the doorway, he closed the door and I skidded right into the door.  I saw stars for a while.  But man that was funny :).  My brother is heading overseas with his family for a couple of years.  I'm going to miss him and his family so much.  We rarely see each other but they are not far from our hearts.

Well I've decided to have an early night tonight.  Because I feel that I will be ready to head back to work soon :) so I need to get into the right sleeping patterns.  So far my week is going great apart from the driveway dilemma.

Hope you all have a great night tonight.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Day 55 - and what a great day it was....

Absolutely enjoyed being in the house of the Lord today!!!  Was welcomed with a cup of tea and biscuits and then headed into some great worship and Word.  The Parables of the Talents (Matt 25:14 - 30) has got to be one of my favourite parables and on reflection is a theme that is consistent throughout my journey.

Today our worship team sang "I will run" by Freddy Rodriguez and man was I taken to another level.  Beautiful chorus:

"So I will run
Forever I will run
Unto you oh God
Now you have my heart

So I will, I will run
Forever I will run
Run to you oh God
Where else can I go
Forever I will run"

This song and worship helped me to feel that nothing else matter but to sing so loud and so hard that my God could hear my love ringing in his ears.  I testified about the goodness that God has done for me during this illness.  God has been so faithful.  I don't think I have ever questioned why this was happening to me but rather seeing this as an opportunity to serve Him.

I absolutely loved being at church today.  My spirit was filled with Joy.  I once heard another someone talk about Happiness comes from a happening therefore it comes and goes as the moment does but joy comes from within therefore it is everlasting.  And today that is how my heart and spirit felt.  Joyful.

My girls sang a song with me following my testimony which was there first time singing in front of a crowd and they sang with confidence.  How innocent are the hearts of our children.

I absolutely loved today and today is the start of a new journey one that will look for opportunities to use my talents.

Are there opportunities for you to use your talents to help someone? to better your life and your family's?

I hope your day was a good as mine :)

God bless