Reflection on the last few days

We spent three nights in Calgary last week. During the days we were back and forth to the hospital. The kids had a tough time with all the traveling and strange places, but it all worked out. We stayed with the Hamm's who are good family friends. I lived with them for a year right before Erik and I got married so I felt very at home there even if the kids didn't :)

We took Elissa outside for some fresh air and sunshine for the first time in 2 weeks.


I snatched a video of Caleb squirming in his bassinet...

Here's our girl posing for the camera during bathtime back at the Hamm house.

I was able to visit with my sister Erin and her youngest son Liam on Friday. They were in the city while her husband was taking some courses so it worked out well that our trips overlapped. Liam is the closest in age to Micah of all his cousins so it was fun to watch them play. It took awhile, but by the end they seemed to be having lots of fun together...

Liam giving his cousin Keziah a big smooch.

Micah and Liam had matching Happy Meal toys...


fyi: I am almost two years older than Erin but she beat me by getting married first and having all of her (three) kids already!


Anyone who's been through the Calgary airport with kids has probably noticed the large wind-up airplanes. What a great idea. Micah was thoroughly entertained while we waited for our flight home.

We welcomed Doug & Elissa home yesterday and it was really good to see them get settled into their own space. It was a little overwhelming for Elissa, but comforting at the same time. I could tell that she was much more peaceful than she had been in the hospital and that was encouraging to see. They went to see Caleb in Chilliwack today but there is a plan to transfer him to Abbotsford as soon as there is space available. You can pray that this will happen soon so that visiting him will be made easier for Elissa.

Tonight we were all together as a family for the first time in awhile - except for Kristi who is back in Manitoba. We had a family dinner with the Loewen's (Rosanna's family) and even though it was good to be together and even though it was good to laugh and share stories together, there was no denying that there was a gaping hole in the group where Nathan should've been. I sat beside Micah's bed tonight while he fell asleep and thought about all that Nathan was to me. I've been grieving Rosanna's loss of him as a husband and Erik's loss of him as a brother, but I haven't stopped much to reflect on how much I will miss him. He was a brother and a friend and an amazing uncle to Micah & Keziah. I remember several special moments Micah had with him at the cabin the weekend before he died - a little outing to the bakery for donuts, a trip to the park where Uncle Nathan pushed him on the swing for a long time, falling asleep together in Nathan's tent after watching Finding Nemo... I pray that Micah will somehow be able to remember these moments, even if it's only through pictures and Erik & I telling him stories.

Erik and I have agreed that God has been answering prayers for peace. Even Rosanna has a peaceful countenance that she admits is beyond what she is capable of. God has been fulfilling his promise from Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Thank you for your continuing prayers.