Arlo and Sola

Becoming a Godmother was one of the most unexpected things in my life and one of the roles I now love the most.  To be asked to love and care for a little person who is not your own (especially when your own are big lumps like mine) is a wonderful gift and a great privilege. 

Arlo was born early and he struggled through a few tough weeks.  His first visit out of the hospital was to our house were several of our group of friends were gathered - he was so tiny we could have hung him on the Christmas tree (not that we did!!).  I took him and his Mom Juli to their first Dr's  appointment and was so sobered to hear the Dr say "You scared us young man, we weren't sure you were going to make it". 

Arlo reading a Woodworking magazine!

We got to take care of him every Friday for a few hours and it was so much fun to see him grow and reach all his milestones - we loved having him!

Exploring grass in the backyard

A very Arlo "look"

It was wonderful to be at his dedication and to write a blessing for him.

Arlo's dedication

All dressed up at his dedication - he knows he's one cool kid!

He is such a bright part of my life - we have had such fun times together and I treasure all the visits we have.   He came to work with me for an hour or so the other day.  I opened the front door and he ran down the pathway and jumped into my arms - such a wonderful moment for me!!  We did art and read books and chatted.  He is such an interesting and perceptive little boy!

Last week wearing a silly hat for my birthday

Arlo has a sister now, Miss Sola Averose Fruhling who was dedicated this week.  She has her own wonderful God Parents who are good friends of ours too.  Sola gave us a few scares by trying to come too early but her Mom did all the hard work of keeping her in until she was just perfect!

A summer Sola cuddle for Allan

She is such a great baby.  She has this worried look but only until she smiles and then her whole face lights up!

Sola in her silly had last week!

Two amazing little people, two great parents.  Hats off to Juli and Spencer who are doing such a great job of parenting.  What I love the most about them is the way they so generously share their babies with us and so many.  You have surrounded your children with so many people who love them to bits.

Two beautiful ladies!

A special family

Many blessing Fruhling Four - I love you all.

Stress

The body is an amazing thing.  It can take so much abuse. But every now and then it calls HALT!  At least mine does.  And it did on Friday night.  Apparently my body did not get the memo that Friday was not a convenient moment to make its point. 

One of the ways I cope with stress, like many others, is to exercise.  It was therefore all the more infuriating that my body threw me a curve ball in the middle of an intense exercise class - how rude!!

Anyway I did not, could not, concede to my body's inability to process the stress so I pushed on.  Late night on Friday preparing for Saturday's Board Strategic Planning session for work.  Bad sleep (Allan was away and I never sleep well when the other side of the bed is empty plus the wind was howling plus David was coughing).  I was up at 5am Saturday and was on the road, car packed to the hilt, by 7am. 

As you know from yesterday's blog post the day went well - I managed to trick my body that all was well (and drank bottle after bottle of water which is supposed to help migraines) but by the time I had unpacked and fed the kids I was all done and losing the battle with my body!

I was in bed before the triumphant Robotics Teacher returned home from the third straight Cambie victory (a post on that shortly!). 

We got up for church today but the head was still pounding and the stomach churning but it was a special day.  Our Godson Arlo's little sister Sola was being dedicated.  I was so glad to make it but we missed the party afterwards as my body demanded drugs and bed.

It would seem that having got what it needed my body is now returning to some normalcy or at least an absence of pain and nausea.

I guess I need to continue to work on my stress management techniques - any tips anyone?

I would hate to have to resort to this!!!

Strategic Planning

I spent the day with my Board and a facilitator looking closely at our organisation and what the next 3 years look like, or could look like and what steps we have to take to get there.  I have put months of thought and work and reading and planning into the day along with a great facilitator we hired to guide the process.

Our organisation is in transition as we move towards a big expansion in our services which means a big increase in staff and for me a HUGE increase in workload.

So today we started by reconnecting with the work we do and why we do it and how we do it well.  It was good to see all the affirmations. Then we looked at the challenges and gaps and people were honest and forthcoming.  And then I presented my vision for a new structure - it was hard to do as I have worked so hard on this and it feels like my "baby" and now I was giving it over to be debated and discussed........ I had to really check my emotions and let it go.   There was quite a debate and lots of good dialogue followed and in the end a unanimous decision to move forward in this new direction...... PHEW!

By the end of the day we had made HUGE progress in moving forward into the next era of the life of our organisation and the Board was energized and excited and engaged! 

I feel grateful to be on this journey with some extraordinary people who gave up their day to do this work together. 

"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only  thing that ever has." Margaret Mead.

Kids

I quipped earlier this week on my FaceBook that I thought my children were trying to kill me.  As they would say "Mom your Irish is showing" - this pronouncement from them whenever I exaggerate or do something a bit nutty (so they get to say this VERY RARELY!!). And before Irish blog readers are insulted, my Grandmother was born in Ireland and she would have laughed her head off at this saying!

But seriously they both pushed my buttons this week, in different ways, and these moments served to show me I have barely graduated from Parenting 101 and I have been at it for almost 14 years.  I should have a T-shirt or bumper sticker that says SLOW LEARNER!!

David's teacher and I had......an....... exchange over the phone this week about Mr D's inattention to homework and his goofing off in class.  He (the teacher) did not respond well when I asked if maybe David was bored seeing as at the last parent/teacher meeting we had he told me over and over again how mature and responsible David is? This question apparently offended the teacher who blamed Allan and I for being inattentive to the due dates of projects.  I tried to point out they were not MY projects.... anyway... suffice to say we had a sit down with Mr David and he is now caught up on the one assignment that was overdue and is behaving better in class. (I hope and pray for his sake and mine!)

And then Lindsay announces to me via text message that she is joining the rugby team.  I grew up with rugby, spent many a Saturday afternoon watching high school rugby (ok ok I was there to watch the boys but I did see some of the game and some of the injuries!!).  I have also been to many professional rugby matches and was so proud when the South African Springboks won the rugby world cup several years ago. (the events of which were recently reenacted in the movie Invictus which you should see!).  I know rugby.  And now my beautiful girl with the newly straightened smile wants to play rugby (I wonder if the orthodontist is behind this???) and I am having a  bird!!

The truth is both my children are pretty amazing people.  Smart, funny, caring, compassionate, passionate, creative.  They will choose their paths.  So far they have always managed to find their way through whatever has been thrown at them, with a little help and a lot of love from their parents, grand-parents and circle of friends.  I need to let my buttons be pushed less often and  just keep walking alongside them and loving them and trusting God to keep them safe. (What was that about me being more content these days - ah yes!!)

Tonight they both spent an hour or more helping me prepare for my Board retreat tomorrow, no complaints, just so happy to help.

I love you Lindsay Lou and Davey - thanks for forgiving my occasional ranting and raving and for giving me so much love and joy.  My world is better because you are in it!

OK, maybe I can graduate from parenting 102 now.......??????

2008 The family photos David wore odd socks in!! I can laugh now.

2008 - Sibling love!

2009 - A rare hug

2010 - Granville Island

2010 - California Kids

Gung Hey Fat Choy

It's lunar New Year today and in our city of Richmond where over 50% of the population is of Asian decent it is a BIG deal. 


We have had a few laughs at the office as most of the staff are Asian but most are not very observant of the traditions of Lunar New Year.  There are so many traditions such as cleaning your house on New Years Eve to sweep out the bad luck, wearing all new clothes on New Years Day, hanging signs over doorways to bring prosperity and fortune, the handing out of little red envelopes with cash or candy in them.....

Funnily enough 2 people really went all out in observing these traditions today ..... and we are both caucasians!!  I have on a silk Chinese jacket my friend Joyce brought me back from China a few years ago and my colleague is wearing all new clothes as is her blonde, blue eyed son.  My Asian staff have been chuckling about this all day and I think they are feeling a bit bad that they have not been so observant. There has been much discussion of how their parents and grand-parents would not be happy with them. I am not sure what my Scottish / Irish / British / Canadian Grand-parents would make of me today either!

I bought Chinese take-out for them all for lunch - we let two of the Asian staff do the ordering but I was clear they needed to order some "white people" chinese food.  All afternoon yesterday as they poured over the menu they made comments in voices loud enough to carry to my office "Chicken feet would be yummy", "Sea cucumber soup, Mmmmmm"  "Bitter Melon Root, ooooo" and on and on until I told them unless there was sweet and sour pork and BBQ fried rice on the order the deal was off..... They laughed. They ordered some "white people" dishes and some that were new to me and they were all very good.

My colleague Linda Yuen and I went to fetch the food - the entire conversation was in Cantonese except the word "debit card" which I produced and I got a couple of glances at my jacket.  We ate lunch in my office.  Linda (who is chinese) in jeans and a sweater eating with a fork and me all dressed up and eating with chopsticks..... we laughed about who was more Chinese!!!

I guess this is the great richness that is the Canadian Mosaic - a great tapestry of cultures with rich and lovely traditions - and great food!

I have learned so much about Asian culture from my colleagues and am grateful for their graciousness in sharing their lives with me.

Wordless Wednesday - Birthday Edition

January Wordle