Briar two and a half

Ella turns 5, what a beautiful little girl you are

Things happen for a reason....

So from my last post, you can guess that I made the big jump from working mom to stay at home mom... well that may change again! On Monday (my first official SAHM day) I received a phone call from my employer, asking if Charles and I would be interested in moving to Norwood (a little town, 20 mins outside PDOT). We would be providing care to three boys who live at the foster home. We would live with them and become a bigger team than what we already are.

We have thought about this option for a long time, we have always wanted to be involved in foster care, and than opportunity knocked... hard!! We are very excited and have decided to take on this tremendous fulfilling responsibility. We hope that everyone will share our enthusiasm, though some of you might not see us as much as you used to. We have a lot to learn in the next few years and plan on making the best of it.

With that all taken into account, we still have a great summer planned and would love to visit anyone willing to take us!! We love you all XOXOXOX

spring = change

Well Spring is finally upon us and I AM READY!

Some new things happening, my beautiful niece was born on April 27, 2011. She is perfect in ever way. Just look at her!! I have three nieces and two daughters, so lots of excitement in the coming years LOL

Briar has been doing very well. She is currently fighting a cold (it's a long, uphill battle) but she is doing it on her own with no antibiotics so we are quite proud :)

The best news (for me) is that after June, when school is out I will officially be a stay at home mom!!! I am over the moon excited about this important change for our family. I feel like we really need to focus on Briar's therapies, and this is the best thing I can do for her and Ella. Anyways, just a quick update

Ashley

Winter's End....

Winter is almost over and we are very hopeful that that means the end of cold and flu season. Briar was in hospital 3 times this season and it makes for a long long winter!! Anyways, I am just posting to say how excited we are to be attending the 1P36 DSA Conference this year. I am trying to get everything ready although it's in July. I have barely left my province, and never left this wonderful country, so I am a bit nervous. Mostly because of our accents LOL So basically the plan is to leave on the 13th of July and drive for 13 hours. We will then go to our camping cabin at a KOA and get a few hours of sleep. From there we will drive another 5-6 hours and arrive at our destination Bethel University. We will be there for 3 days and then camp on the way home again. There are speakers, activities and lots to do around town. I don't think I have been more excited in my life.... oh gotta go get Sierra, BYE!!

What's new

I have no idea when my last post was or what it was about, so thought now was a good time to write.

The past few months have been hard. I am usually a positive mama when it comes to Briar but I feel like I'm breaking. Not sure if that describes it accurately but I am struggling. I am not used to having an ill child. I know I have said this before but every hospitalization makes me feel lost and trapped at the same time. We adapt as best we can. I guess I am feeling like why I am working if I am needed with Briar all the time. When she is sick, I have to be off with her but we still have to pay our bills like daycare! I often feel like there has to be another option out there for special needs children but I haven't found it. In ontario, if you work, there is very little financial support (even Briar's disability cheque is based on our income) but what family can support two kids on a single family income!?!? I am frustrated with our system but I don't know what to do about it!!! I need a new accessible home, I need respite care and I need to win the lottery :)

Briar is in the hospital again with pneumonia. She never fully recovered from her last hospitalization at Christmas time. I am happy to say she seems more like herself now. I spent the night last night (Charles and I take turns) and I came up with a nice daily program for Briar. It should be fun to start once she is free. Example, Monday is tactile play, Tuesday is stretching and massage, etc... I will update you when we are freed.

PS shout out to mama McCann and here's to hoping a baby is entering the world any minute :) ashley, I love you! You are such a dear friend, we have grown from misbehaving teens to rocking mamas. Can't wait to meet him (... Or her) <3