Can't Believe 2010 Is Almost Done!

I cannot believe that 2010 is done in 2 weeks. It's been quite a year for our family with me (mom) having a huge tumour in my stomach removed along with a full hysterectomy in August (all benign thank goodness), working full time & doing university in the fall until Dec. 3, when I fell and broke my leg, thus thrusting us into the holiday season with mom basically immobile. Dad also has hurt his shoulder and back this year. The back healed up quite nicely but the shoulder is going to take more work.

Nevertheless, we shall prevail as we always do! Despite the icky things that have happened, it's still been a good year. Here are some highlights:
Kennedy
- Kennedy passed her Red Cross certification for babysitting in February
- She performed in the Interaction Children's Theatre Production of "Saint John History Mystery"
- She ended the year on a great note from Grade 6 in June winning an award at school for her positive attitude
- She participated in Cheerleading for the first time and did great at the competitions in the spring
- Began grade 7 in the fall and had an amazing first home report: 5 A+, 2 A, and 1 B - she tries so hard and we are so proud of her!
- Despite mom having to miss it because of injury, Kennedy enjoyed a fabulous time at a Justin Bieber concert in early December. (Dad wins "Dad of the Year" for taking her in amongst all those screaming girls!)
- After many years with the BAHA Divino, we are testing a new BAHA for Kennedy called the Ponto, made by Oticon. We are THRILLED to report that she can independently put this one on herself - really one of the LAST things left that she could not do independently. This was SO HUGE for her. We will probably be ordering this for her in the new year.

Taylor
- Taylor (our sweet granddaughter) turned two and had several celebrations in her honour.
- She is talking so well and just progressing along wonderfully.
- We love her immensely and although she has moved now with her mom Angela to Cape Breton, NS, she is home to Moncton, NB often so we can see her.
- She came to visit us numerous times this year at our home and at the trailer.
- We went down in October to visit her on Thanksgiving weekend (also her birthday). It's hard to believe she is two!

Ryan
- Ryan (big brother) landed a new job that he really enjoys at Loblaws.
- Still living in Moncton
- We've just recently learned that our second grandchild is on the way, thanks to Ryan and his girlfriend Felicia - and this time, it's a boy and he will be called Seth (a name I LOVE - yay!)

Kyle
- Kyle (big brother) landed a full time job at HMV that he enjoys.
- He and girlfriend Marie are doing well and quite serious after a year and a half.
- He and Marie are planning a trip to California...California, Ontario that is! This is Marie's hometown and they are going for a trip on the holiday break. Did you know there was a California in Ontario? I didn't, until I met Marie.


Graeme
- Graeme had a good year with the blueberries - a lot better this year than last year (which, in his words, was awful!)
- He has begun physiotherapy for what the physio has deemed a 'frozen' shoulder and after only a few sessions, he is showing progress so we are happy for that. It will take a lot more work to get it completely better, but at least he feels he is on the way (he hasn't been able to lift his left arm up past his chest since the spring).

Lisa
- Well it's been a year for surgery, injury and recovery as mentioned in the beginning but I've learned there's nothing I can do about it and I might as well try and enjoy the 'break' (pun sadly intended). I'm trying to get other work done for the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation and for university while off work and looking forward to getting back with my students in the new year.
- This year was also full of time 'away' as I had to go to Halifax for a month in July to begin my Master's degree (in Educational Psychology - Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing), then off to an undisclosed location immediately after that for a week to choose the site of the 2013 International CHARGE Syndrome Conference, and as of next week, I'm off to Orlando for an executive meeting at the 2011 site for the International CHARGE Syndrome Conference from the 27-30 of December. I'll be hopping along on crutches or in a wheelchair but will get it done!

I hope all of you who read the blog have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season. Here is a little smattering of our 2010 in pictures...

Next Tuesday

What are YOU doing next Tuesday night (September 21) at 9pm Atlantic?
I can tell you what we'll be doing:

Season Two begins - yay!
We haven't got Dad on board with the whole Glee addiction yet but maybe this season!

Life...

Just catching up on life and popped over to the neglected blog to see my background has disappeared. I've installed this new one for now but we'll see how the readability is; I may have to change it.

Lots going on with us - I was away all of July in Halifax for university doing my Master's degree. Kennedy was away at Deaf camp in Halifax for one week of that; she also spent a week having fun with my sister in Antigonish, NS. My granddaughter Taylor is doing well, although they have now moved to Nova Scotia and I fear I'm not going to see her as much :(

Kennedy Update:
Kennedy has finished grade six since I last wrote - had a marvellous year with a school team who truly seems to 'get it' (can you hear the hallelujah chorus playing in the background???) She also performed at the Imperial Theatre with the InterAction Children's Theatre in "Saint John History Mystery". She played Mrs. Chubbs, a woman who was very angry at her husband for his poorly-designed building (in her opinion). It was a hoot to see her scream and yell at this poor 'husband' in their act. In June, she received a school spirit 'celebrate' award because of her cheerful attitude and ability to make everyone smile. She also won a similar award from her classroom teacher. This summer, when she wasn't off at Deaf Camp or at her Aunt's house, she spent a lot of time at our summer place on beautiful Belleisle Bay, either at Nana & Papa's trailer or with me, at our trailer when I would come home for the weekends. She is looking forward to seventh grade, trying out for the cheer team again and going back to Theatre classes of course. Most of all, though, she is excited to see JUSTIN BIEBER - we got tickets for a show in New Hampshire on Sept. 1st. She is over the moon and counting down the days faithfully.

Mom Update:
I'm going to have surgery on Thursday, Aug. 19th so I will be even more defunct at updating the blog. Unfortunately, August has been mostly me preparing for it, making sure Kennedy is ready for school, the house is all cleaned, etc. as I am not allowed to do anything for six weeks post-op. That should be fun - NOT!

I'm going to post some pictures of things that have happened since MAY - my last blog update...enjoy! You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them!


Got the tickets - going to see Justin Bieber - Sept. 1st!!!


Kennedy - Cheer Pics 2010


Kennedy - Cheer 2010


Cheer Collage 2010


May 2010 - Kennedy before her performance at the Imperial Theatre


Visiting with one of her BFFs - MacKenzie, at an appointment in Halifax


June 2010 - Receiving her Celebrate award from her teacher, Mr. Graham


August 2010 - Hanging out with some cousins from Ontario at a Family Reunion


August 2010 - Heading out to a friend's birthday party

Aftermath...

That's right. Aftermath. The Fat Man comes and leaves this house in a hurricane and it's up to "SUPERMOM" to put it all back together, clean it up, and find places for it all. It's all okay though, it was worth it to see the faces of my family light up with glee at their surprises. Graeme got the biggest surprise of all - his parents bought him a brand new 2007 Chevy Cobalt! It was quite a shock to everyone, most of all him! I couldn't be happier for him, he is the BEST and deserves it. He is a wonderful husband, father, and son. I could not be happier unless I'd bought it myself for him.

Kennedy had a wonderful day filled with High School Musical and Hannah Montana - she was thrilled right down to the core. The boys were a bit more subdued but what do you expect of an 18 and 16 year old that early in the morning??? We enjoyed a beautiful dinner (if I do say so myself...) - I actually searched out and prepared several "Martha Stewart" recipes for the stuffing, a side dish, and the turkey - all were delish! It was a very special present for all of us to have Kennedy join us and dine with us at the table for our holiday meal together.

So now it's back to the cleaning, re-organizing, etc. I hope everyone who reads this blog had a very merry whatever-it-is-you-celebrate and some wonderful, peaceful, healthy, restful time with family & friends.

Yay for Hannah Montana movies!


Yay for new cars!

Estrofest 2007

We recently began a summer tradition for the female members of my maternal side of the family: each summer, we all go up together to visit my cousin Sherri, who lives in Tide Head, NB (near Campbellton). Graeme dubbed it the "Estrofest" last year when we were all up there. We visit, laugh, talk, swim, play some cards and assorted games (Aunt Lois & I kicked butt on 80's Trivial Pursuit this year woohoo!)., spend time with the kids, and did I mention EAT??? Sherri went way over the top this year on the food scene, next year, we are going to all start bringing some grub so she doesn't have as much work to do (not that we're complaining, she is an AMAZING cook!). This year's Estrofest participants included my mom, her sister (Aunt Lois), her other sister (Aunt Helen), my cousin Angela and her daughter Ella, my cousin Sherri, Kennedy, and myself. Sherri's boys are also in some of the pictures as well, they are Riley & Andrew.

First Weekend of Summer Vacation

Yesterday we headed down to New River Beach for the big sand sculpture contest - it was a nice day, not too hot with a slight breeze. We loved looking at all the sculptures (although Kennedy just wanted to get down and play in the sand...) and we had a picnic on the beach. Afterward we went down to the blueberry stand to visit Nana B and have some ice cream. On the way home, we stopped at a few places I've always wanted to photograph and I got some great photos. Here are a few, starring Ms. Kennedy of course most of the time...

Cool Slideshows!

Today we are going canoeing - I really must get back to studying statistics one of these days!