MRI scan

Mike went for another MRI scan today...will not know the results for a while.

Coffee...Decafe

So now that I have given up the coffee, it seems I cannot tolerate even one cup without getting a huge headache...pretty cool actually. This will keep me away from coffee for good.

I have, however, had decafe coffee. I does not give me a headache, and I really like the taste!

Where's my coffee!!!!

Today I decided that I was going to drop the coffee...it's been really hard and I have a huge headache.

My diet is going well, but I am not sleeping very well these last 2 nights.

I am drinking a ton of water, which is good.

New "Veggie" Diet

I came across a "RAW" diet that my friend had been following for 6 months. She gave me links and book references to help me on my journey.

I have been eating Gluten Free for 1 year and still finding that I am extremly tired and don't have much energy. So here goes, a new adventure for my tummy.

OAC annual BBQ

Went to the lovely little town of Osgoode to attend the Open Air Campaigner's (http://www.oacottawa.net/)annual BBQ at Layton and Deb's house. It was so nice to see little Layton..he is such a cutie.

Sheryl, Deb and I had so much fun in the kitchen getting stuff ready and cleaning up. Met lots of the street team that meet up on Friday nights.

Layton took out his guitar and we had a great hour or so of worship!! God is good.

Women's Bible study group at the MET

I had a really lovely evening tonight, with the "Crazy Italians" group. I already feel such a connection and intimacy with this women. They are so welcoming and warm. Connie is such a great leader and she read something really special from Max Lucado's book - Next Door Savior!! I was crying by this time as it is quite touching!!

I now need to go buy this book and read it myself!!

Also, today Mike and I celebrate our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. What a joy to be amongst our fellow believers in Christ!

Women's Bible study group at the MET

Tonight we had our first Women's Evening Bible Study which draws women together each week who have a desire to meet other women and study the Scriptures. Our evenings begin with worship with both men and women, followed by gathering together of women around table groups. I am in the "Crazy Italian's" group.
We just spent the evening getting to know each other. It was a really nice evening. I am very thankful to be a part of this group and look forward to next week.

Painting the kitchen red

I am done coat #3 of the red in the kitchen. Hopefully, after tomorrow I will be all finished. You can see in the background the really nice rich red..and of course Mike and his 'green stuff' and showing of his armpit..

and oh yes, the door will be put back on after I paint tomorrow.

Mike missed his appointment with Dr. JM Caudrelier

I got a call today from his receptionist, seems Mike had an appointment today at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre with the doctor. I made an other appointment for him on November 14th.
We are still waiting to hear from the neuro-surgeon, Dr. Agbi as he wanted Mike to go for another MRI soon.

We wait and we trust and lean on the Lord.

Winnipeg Transition

Found out today that they are delaying the start date for the Winnipeg training to sometime in January 2009. I was quite relieved about all this. So much going on here at home...then again, the Lord knows this too...and it is in His time.

1st Sunday teaching a class together at the MET

Mike and I had our first class teaching the 2 and 3 years olds today. We had so much fun!! It was so nice to see the kids after what seems like a long summer....there were many new faces, most did okay with the transition though.

We had 2 great helpers, Angela and Sarah. Sarah read the story of baby moses and all 11 little ears were listening to her, it was so cute.

We then helped them all do a little craft and they had lots of fun..especially with the glue (I am hiding the markers)..

We feel so energized after being with the kids, they really are a blessing to us!!

BBQ at Jerry and Joanne's

We really had a good time at the BBQ today. Mostly everyone from the Schwartz family was there and it was good to see them all. I was able to eat so much food, without worrying about wheat/gluten. I am very thankful!

Final Kettlebell Class

This final class was a 'growler' as Rob Harris put it...it was amazing though, we worked really hard.

We covered just about all the major exercises we were taught, except the TGU(sand in the eyes not good.) The complex was a real thinking game, you had to know your sequence to make smooth transitions and then the big one. The final workout lasted from 5 minutes to 8:10, it was only 10 swings and a burpee, repeat 10 swings and then 2 burpees and so on till you reached 10 burpees, you did a 100 swings and 55 burpees, that was one heck of a tough workout!!

Church Sunday School - 10:45am

Today was the last church sunday school for the 2nd service at 10:45am.
I am already missing the kids :)
In the afternoon, Pastor Ron had all the children's ministry leaders/helpers at their home for an 'appreciation' lunch.
It was nice to be there and I connected with so many people.

I received a thank-you note from one of my parents...I was quite touched!!


Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14

Doula - Wanna Be...

I attend my 2nd birth today...My friends from Life Group, William and Carole were expecting their 3rd girl.
I got the call at 4am from William to say that they were heading to the hospital. I met them there, along with their Doula Gisele.
As the hours trickled by, I was watching Gisele hard a work to help Carole deliver this baby.
I learned so much today and really feel that this is something I would like to work toward!

Hopefully, I will be attending my first Doula workshop in the Fall or early 2009...this will by one of many that I will have to take. Looking forward to this stage in my life.

It was such an amazing blessing to be there with William and Carole...children are a gift from God.

Ottawa Women's Boot Camp - Kettlebell training #5

We had such an amazing class Tuesday night. Learned a new move called 'the windmill' which is really good to strengthen shoulders, and core.

I was disappointed when the class finished, I was really enjoying this.



I am getting much stronger and have more coordination at this Kettlebell thing.



No class Thursday, or Canada Day.

Welcome to "The MET"

We had our Ministry Orientation meeting last night at our new church site....It is so amazing what the Lord is doing with this church.
Mike and I will have our own 2/3 year old class in September.
We are looking forward to being with His children and showing them God's love.

We are so thankful and blessed!!

Ottawa Women's Boot Camp - Kettlebell training #5

We had such an amazing class Tuesday night. Learned a new move called 'the windmill' which is really good to strengthen shoulders, and core.
I was disappointed when the class finished, I was really enjoying this.

I am getting much stronger and have more coordination at this Kettlebell thing.

No class Thursday, or Canada Day.

Ottawa Women's Boot Camp - Kettlebell training #4

This workout was just amazing...the weather was not too hot, it was actually on the rainy drizzly side and I had a really good workout. Met some new people as we had to switch partners and learn their 'nicknames'..LOL
I am not too sore and feel really energetic!

Ottawa Women's Boot Camp - Kettlebell training #3

Okay, made it through the 3rd class, barely. I inadvertedly pulled a muscle even before we started...:( So I felt like I didn't really give my best to this class.
I am sore though, this time my back and arms as we were cradling the 12kg kettlebell from the ground up to our chins.

Overall, this has really improved my mobility and my joints are not as sore :).

Very thankful for this opportunity.

Support Adoption

Ottawa Women's Boot Camp - Kettlebell training #2

Well, we made it through the 2nd training day, not sure how I was able to do any exercises as my legs were very stiff and sore.
Janet and I are having fun though!! It does feel good and I am feeling already more energetic.

This class we were on the beach at Mooney's Bay, barefeet and on the sand. It was a really great workout.
We learned some new moves and I will try to practice them this weekend :)

Ottawa Women's Boot Camp - Kettlebell training #1

Janet and I attended our first Boot camp - Kettlebell training last night.. After a few 'warm up' exercises, we launched right into learning new moves. I must say it is a great work out!! Works so many muscles and hopefully burning fat..LOL
The Kettlebells I was using weight 12 kg and 8 kg. Just walking with them is draining..imaging swinging one up in the air!! The instructors are great though and very encouraging.
My legs are quite sore today, doing lots of "squats" will do that.
Will keep updating after each training session.

Gardening/Landscaping

Mike has been quite busy re-doing a small portion of the front yard landscaping..I must add it looks wonderful already and I haven't planted anything yet.. :)
He has been hard a work, day after day...which is really great since the last couple of weeks he was so tired and completely out of energy.
We are enjoying the sunny, hot weather and are thankful for the gift of another day!

God is good...All the time

Wonderful News!!

'God is so good, so strong and so mighty...there's nothing my God cannot do"...Mike was singing this after we left Dr. Agbi's office this morning.

The tumor has not grown at all. Dr. Agbi says he's 99% sure this tumor is benign..We are so overjoyed with this news!!!

He has another MRI scan scheduled for October/November and if there is still no growth, they will go back to yearly MRI scans.

Thanks so much for everyone's prayers...they work!!!

We are enjoying the Spring and sunshine!! Thanking God for the many blessings that we have..our children, family and friends.

We are anxiously waiting for our second appointment with Dr. Agbi on Wednesday, May 14th at 11:30am.

Our first appointment with Dr.Agbi - Neurologist/Neurosurgeon

We went to our first appointment with Dr. Agbi today. Mike was quite relaxed, while I was on the verge of passing out in the waiting room...
Dr. Agbi showed us the MRI scan from 2006 and then the September 2007 MRI scan. I was interesting to see the technology advancement since Mike's last brain surgery.
Dr. Agbi decided that he wanted another MRI scan done and then we would meet him again for another appointment.

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We would love to share our journey with you, of faith, love and hope.