Wow, everyone else is complaining about snow, but we got very little here - and our tulips and snowdrops are coming up! The crocuses are still covered in snow, but I'm excited to see the beginnings of flowers again!
We went swimming for physio today... Matthias' physiotherapist got a concussion Wednesday night (pray for Candace), and she did not show up at all for our swimming appointment. Matthias had watched her enter the passcode for the door lock, so he opened the door for us and we went in and swam anyway. (I even turned the boiler down afterward.) Four hours later, she called up all apologetic for standing us up. I was happy to explain that we hadn't actually missed the swim, though we missed her... She said that actually, the door lock passcode hasn't been working for a couple weeks now -- so it truly was a miracle that we got in! And she was happy not to have to run over to turn down the boiler. God is great -- we could have done fine without the swim, but I think Candace needed the encouragement that, even though she can't do everything anymore with this concussion, God is still looking after her things for her!
Carrie Ann slept in her own bed until almost 5am last night, and Frank even vacuumed upstairs before Sabbath today -- miracles happen all the time!
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swimming. Show all posts
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ups and Downs
Good news first! Yesterday we went swimming for physiotherapy, and all the kids did a super great job! Carrie Ann, with a pool noodle under her arms, was able to move through the water independently, at least a foot at a time (I remained within arm's reach at all times, of course)! Bethany swam across the width of the shallow end, coming up twice for air and swimming part of the way heads up, without touching the bottom at all! And Matthias finally overcame his fear of letting go, and pushed off from the wall about one foot, then swam under water back to Candace (about one foot). It seems like a little distance, but it is such a huge step for him to try moving through the water without holding on to anything or anyone! Wow, it is so amazing to watch these three precious children grow and develop!
Now the bad news... I had a badly ingrown toenail, and I went in to the hospital this morning to have the sides of it cut off and cauterized. Well, I fainted while he was anaesthetizing my toe, and managed to sit up and then fall off the bed before he could catch me! It was quite a shock for the doctor! I woke up with two faces bending over me, and said, "Where am I?" (Just like in the movies!) So I was on oxygen and a pulse monitor for a while, then went for head and neck x-rays. Good news is, nothing was seriously damaged. However, I had a long day in bed today with a sore neck, head, and foot. Please pray for my complete recovery!
I've been quite concerned with the news of the partial collapse in the USA lately -- I think it will get worse, friends, and if you are living in the city, I recommend that you move out as soon as possible (especially if you live in the States!). Prepare for a reduction in standard of living -- stock up on rice and beans (and learn to cook them). Make sure your heart is right with God and man. Don't store up your treasure on earth -- we may have more time in Canada, but I don't think our economy can survive when the US goes plunging. Keep the Sabbath holy, and don't support any religious legislation (church and state should stay separate!). You are all welcome to join us in Creston area if things get worse in your area! At least we have fresh water and agricultural land here. Ask God what you can do -- and as soon as he answers us, I will let you know where we are headed!
Now the bad news... I had a badly ingrown toenail, and I went in to the hospital this morning to have the sides of it cut off and cauterized. Well, I fainted while he was anaesthetizing my toe, and managed to sit up and then fall off the bed before he could catch me! It was quite a shock for the doctor! I woke up with two faces bending over me, and said, "Where am I?" (Just like in the movies!) So I was on oxygen and a pulse monitor for a while, then went for head and neck x-rays. Good news is, nothing was seriously damaged. However, I had a long day in bed today with a sore neck, head, and foot. Please pray for my complete recovery!
I've been quite concerned with the news of the partial collapse in the USA lately -- I think it will get worse, friends, and if you are living in the city, I recommend that you move out as soon as possible (especially if you live in the States!). Prepare for a reduction in standard of living -- stock up on rice and beans (and learn to cook them). Make sure your heart is right with God and man. Don't store up your treasure on earth -- we may have more time in Canada, but I don't think our economy can survive when the US goes plunging. Keep the Sabbath holy, and don't support any religious legislation (church and state should stay separate!). You are all welcome to join us in Creston area if things get worse in your area! At least we have fresh water and agricultural land here. Ask God what you can do -- and as soon as he answers us, I will let you know where we are headed!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Swimming for Muscular Dystrophy
I wanted to share this message from ParentProjectMuscularDystrophy, a site supporting Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy people and their families:
Olympic Gold for Ryan Lochte & PPMD
We’ve been updating you on Ryan Lochte, the Olympic swimmer who is supporting Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, and now we can proudly say that he will be bringing home two gold medals and two bronze medals, as well as a new world record! This incredible athlete, swimming on behalf of those with Duchenne, has truly become one of the 2008 Olympic heroes.
We wanted to give you an opportunity to congratulate, thank, or just fawn over Ryan! We will be bundling up and passing along letters and emails to him, upon his return from Beijing. To take part, simply email info@parentprojectmd.org and put “For Ryan Lochte” in the subject line. Or, if you would rather send something the old fashioned way, mail it to:
Ryan Lochte
c/o Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
158 Linwood Plaza, Suite 220
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024
You can also support Ryan by giving a donation to Ryan’s personal fundraising page. Just click here and say thank you to Ryan, while helping PPMD end Duchenne.
The Olympics are not over, but what a thrilling start and what a rare treat to have someone competing on our community’s behalf!
Olympic Gold for Ryan Lochte & PPMD
We’ve been updating you on Ryan Lochte, the Olympic swimmer who is supporting Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, and now we can proudly say that he will be bringing home two gold medals and two bronze medals, as well as a new world record! This incredible athlete, swimming on behalf of those with Duchenne, has truly become one of the 2008 Olympic heroes.
We wanted to give you an opportunity to congratulate, thank, or just fawn over Ryan! We will be bundling up and passing along letters and emails to him, upon his return from Beijing. To take part, simply email info@parentprojectmd.org and put “For Ryan Lochte” in the subject line. Or, if you would rather send something the old fashioned way, mail it to:
Ryan Lochte
c/o Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
158 Linwood Plaza, Suite 220
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024
You can also support Ryan by giving a donation to Ryan’s personal fundraising page. Just click here and say thank you to Ryan, while helping PPMD end Duchenne.
The Olympics are not over, but what a thrilling start and what a rare treat to have someone competing on our community’s behalf!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Computer
Bethany says, "Cutis" for computer (I'm not sure why...), and Carrie Ann says, "Putah". One day, Carrie tried to imitate Bethany asking to go on the computer, and said, "Cutosis". Huh?
Bethany is another great word. Matthias said, "Bethaninininiai", Bethany said, "Bessassa", and Carrie Ann says, "Betadane" or "Betadine". Now she can already say, "Betany", but today it came out like this: "BetaNEEEEEEEEE!"
The kids love swimming -- though Matthias not as much anymore. Bethany can swim underwater about 10 ft, and above for about 3. She is just learning to swim underwater, then pop her head up and take a breath, then swim again, in water that is over her head (closely supervised, of course). Matthias is learning to push off from my legs and glide to the wall -- but he's scared to go more than 3 or 4 feet from the wall.
Today Carrie Ann poured her water on her plate, then said, "Simming! Food simming!" What will they think of next?
Bethany is another great word. Matthias said, "Bethaninininiai", Bethany said, "Bessassa", and Carrie Ann says, "Betadane" or "Betadine". Now she can already say, "Betany", but today it came out like this: "BetaNEEEEEEEEE!"
The kids love swimming -- though Matthias not as much anymore. Bethany can swim underwater about 10 ft, and above for about 3. She is just learning to swim underwater, then pop her head up and take a breath, then swim again, in water that is over her head (closely supervised, of course). Matthias is learning to push off from my legs and glide to the wall -- but he's scared to go more than 3 or 4 feet from the wall.
Today Carrie Ann poured her water on her plate, then said, "Simming! Food simming!" What will they think of next?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Okay!
Actually, Carrie Ann's vowels are so fluid still, her Okay ranges from "Ai-tai" to "Ah-tay." She always says it with the same intonation, which is the same as my intonation, so it is totally recognizable! I think what makes it so cute is also the fact that she is showing agreement and cooperation with something I've suggested -- "Ah-tai!" sounds way better to me than "Uh-uh!" (She's not a big "no" sayer, for some reason, but uh-uh works just as well!)
We went swimming yesterday, and I put life jackets on the kids and took them in the deep end. Bethany got so comfortable, she managed a slide down the slide, with splash-down and swimming to the side all by herself! Matthias held on tight to the top of his vest to keep it from riding up onto his chin, but was able to tool around a bit using just his feet to propel himself. Carrie Ann kept rolling her face into the water, but she sure didn't want the life vest off -- she fought my hands off every time I tried to take it off, until she was so tired she was practically ready to fall asleep in the pool! Her favourite part was when I put her on my tummy and did a back float with her riding on me -- she loved it, but I had to kick so hard (to keep my head up) I got a charley horse this morning!
I turned off comment moderation, so if anyone is reading this blog besides Aunt Greta, feel free to leave a comment!
We went swimming yesterday, and I put life jackets on the kids and took them in the deep end. Bethany got so comfortable, she managed a slide down the slide, with splash-down and swimming to the side all by herself! Matthias held on tight to the top of his vest to keep it from riding up onto his chin, but was able to tool around a bit using just his feet to propel himself. Carrie Ann kept rolling her face into the water, but she sure didn't want the life vest off -- she fought my hands off every time I tried to take it off, until she was so tired she was practically ready to fall asleep in the pool! Her favourite part was when I put her on my tummy and did a back float with her riding on me -- she loved it, but I had to kick so hard (to keep my head up) I got a charley horse this morning!
I turned off comment moderation, so if anyone is reading this blog besides Aunt Greta, feel free to leave a comment!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Celebrate!
Wow! Last Thursday, we were playing with some friends who have a 2 ft baby slide, and Carrie Ann got up the courage to slide down all by herself, without holding my hand! Today, Matthias read four chapters in his chapter book (about 5 pages per chapter) without any nagging from me! I just suggested that he read, and promised I would match whatever he read (read him one chapter aloud for each chapter he read silently), and he sat down and read two chapters. Then I matched him one for the chapter he read yesterday, and two for the chapters today, and then he went ahead and read the last two chapters on his own! This is a real break-through for him, it is the first time he has read willingly, more than I required! I am so excited! It is common for MD boys to be a couple years behind in language skills when they are young, but usually the difference diminishes once they are able to read fluently. So he is almost there! (Well, we still have to work on writing!) And Bethany managed to swim about 2 metres head-up today! She has been practicing so hard, and could swim quite far underwater, but the need to come up for air always hindered her. So now she paddles like crazy and can keep her head up for a bit! There's still room for work, but this is a major step for her too. It is hard to believe she will be six in two more months. And I'll be 32 in two days -- 32 is one of my favourite numbers, so I hope that means it will be a good year!
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