Tag Archive | Caribou

A Family Changed…

…And I think for the better. I remember someone telling me…. eons ago it seems, that when one member of the family is ill the whole family is affected. I think I always knew and understood that on some level but now, after years of confronting a disorder that so many tend to see as lesser and often ignore the significance of, I feel like it has been etched into my very essence.

Depression, anxiety… these are terms we use in our home as everyday discussion. Echo really has never known a time when she would ask where Daddy is and the answer was never at therapy or an appointment. Therapy is a fact of life in our family, and the opportunity to go WITH Daddy (generally when I am indisposed) is quite sought after.

Ken has two people he sees on a regular basis and the one time I was out of state (seriously the ONLY time since I moved here…) Trinity and Echo go to see the therapist… when I got back I was told that she had TEDDIES! and comfy chairs! It was soooo much fun.

Emanuel has a different opinion, he had to go with and then head to a hair cut after… it was fun… except all they did was talk a lot. Apparently this was met with derision as it would have been much more fun to draw or play video games instead of blah blah blah.

I feel right there that we are on the right track. Therapy is seen as fun, it is necessary and good to go to. I want to raise a generation of people who see therapy as something to brag about. Seeing them with Daddy is something to hold your head high about (although, truth be told, the teddies on the first day REALLY set the tone).

Ken’s other appointment meets at a Caribou and is Echo’s new favourite person. Emanuel and I had a date (gotta spend those moments with one on one) and so Echo went with Daddy… They are sooooo nice, oh and she got to play Minecraft on the laptop… but above all, and what she brings up now EVERY time Ken goes without her, is how nice his employment counselor is.

I have seen how my generation (at least the vast majority I talk to) are so secretive about seeing a therapist. I remember in my youth (during my parent’s divorce) how negative it was to see a therapist. It meant you were broken or challenged or that there was obviously something HUGELY wrong with you. This is a stigma that I have worked hard with my children and those receptive around me to remove.

Medication can only take you so far with a mental disorder, finding the source, the reasons, sorting out the feelings… this is so crucial to a future that is not a roller coaster of healthy and unhealthy life. The ability to speak to someone without a connection to your problems or your personal life is often life saving. So BRAVO you are working on you and BRAVO you know that just talking to those you love is not always enough. And to those who say it makes you lesser, well then they really have no idea how much stronger you are going to be at the end of all this.

This is a very timely subject in my life right now, friends, friend’s children, family… there are many people in my like (and the lives of my children) who REQUIRE help, who WANT help, who have SOUGHT AFTER help… this is something I feel should be celebrated. It is easier to be sick than to get well. That is the scary part. It is easier to give in then fight back. I have always felt victories should be celebrated, no matter how small… and trust me, at times all there is is the tiny victories to cling to. That step into the therapist’s office is huge and the continuing trend of going and being honest and truthful should be celebrated. You have chosen to get well, and in turn, your family will be better for it. What is, at first, a private battle is honestly a wonderful success story for the whole family.IMAG0578

Remembering August Through Images…

…because man do I barely remember the details! August is a special month with Miss Echo’s birthday and the tail end of summer vacation for “others”. As usual we did NOT have a full on summer vacation. I find that when we take a large chunk of time fully off our learning we lose too much without the repetition. So instead I do a lighter schedule with many more days off for fun in the sun.IMAG0477

So, let’s see if I can match some words to the images! Well, first off… beginning of the month means Home Depot craft. I really hope if any of you have kids ages 5-12 you have them going to this… it is free and totally worth it. August was the last month of just the 4 kids going. I wanted to wait until Echo actually WAS 5. Anyway, August was chalkboards.DSCN0840

We had a bit of a harvest in the garden in August… rather humble these beginnings.DSCN0841

Of course we continued swimming. The instructors and lifeguards at out local YMCA are the best. We are so spoiled by Nana and Baba and their continuing gift of the membership. We could live there!

DSCN0842Of course August, sunshine, Minnesota… lakes… so we had to continue our beach trips. We went a couple times and lucked out with Renee and the boys joining us! DSCN0859

DSCN0860

We found plenty of time for Wild Kratts episodes. I don’t know that we will EVER tire of this, though I REALLY need to get a table of contents listing the critters we have covered since we tend to watch them out of order. DSCN0852

DSCN0858

DSCN0877

… well you get the idea… I am sure there will be a couple others in the overflow blog entry!

We spent a lot of time in the yard in the sunshine (or in my case in the shade). I don’t know what we would do without an inflatable pool, some toys and my sewing. Together time can be so perfect even on a shoestring budget!DSCN0854

DSCN0934

DSCN0962

The girls even joined me at Caribou for coffee while Ken had a meet up there. Coffee time means the boys get their computer time (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY GASP) and the girls get a special occasion… all while covering an appointment for Ken. Win win.DSCN0857

DSCN0855

We did still find time for regular school of course, AND adding Miss Echo more and more. It is exciting and a wee bit overwhelming to have a full classroom.

Book Report!

Book Report!

DSCN0878

We also helped a poor little bird who was stuck on the trailer in the front yard… the kids and I had to tip it up so the poor thing would hop out the back and join its frantic momma.DSCN0874

DSCN0875

We came across a stick insect.DSCN0918

And of course, importantly, celebrated a birthday! HERE Number 5!

Teddy from Aunty Holly and family

Teddy from Aunty Holly and family

DSCN0896

Gavin found time to have Aunty Renee teach him how to crochet. Apparently right handed Gavin was frustrated with left handed Mommy.DSCN0951

I managed some time with the bride to be Shandai at her house. Which of course was crafting time and, almost more importantly, KITTY time!DSCN0966

DSCN0967

Add to all this… a guest! CANADIAN and everything. Jeff Davey came down for his yearly visit. It is always lovely to have company from home. And doubly so for Ken to have someone who understands him so well!DSCN0960

it was a good month. And, as I got started writing this, surprisingly more memorable than I expected! DSCN0948

Saying Good Bye and then Keeping Busy

August 5-7

With the ending of our epic Wisconsin (almost cow free) road trip our visit with Karyn was also drawing to a close. It is always hard to say good bye to visitors doubly hard when it is a dear aunty. So on the 5th we snuck out, just Karyn, myself and MISS TRINITY for some girly shopping time. Just the normal stuff… Joann’s, the mall, Caribou…

I have to say Trinity is a fun shopper. She and Karyn picked out a special book for her to bring home and read. It was our last chance of true visiting time before we had to see her off and it was so much fun!20140905_161024

The next day it was time to see off Aunty Karyn as Ken drove her to the airport.We were all a little downhearted at this point.101_9560 101_9562 101_9567

Though the kids snuck off with Ken to the Home Depot monthly craft first. We have missed ONE in the past couple years!101_9558 101_9559

We did have some fun mail to balance off our sad good bye. I had won a draw on Facebook for some nails. I need to find a moment to sit down and work out how to apply them! Thanks Heather!101_9568

We also had a lovely package of Canadian snacks for the shark slippers I had made and mailed off. I made sure to request a bag of ketchup chips for the kids. A once in a while special treat.101_9569

OH and another exchange… baby booties and socks for Canadian school supplies… favourite scribblers with the familiar map of Canada on the front and duotangs… folders with prongs. A family favourite. Thank you so much Tammie! I hope you enjoy the crochet bits.101_9570

On Sunday we had our first day of Sunday school for ALL of the kids! I was so proud of Echo. She went off willingly with her siblings to the music and then onto class. She is growing up so quickly! The twins have a good friend in their class and were very excited to see him for the first time since VBS.101_9572

In the afternoon we were off to Shandai and Ravyn’s for a special belated(VERY)Christmas celebration. They have such a nice home to visit at. Though we do have to keep a but of an eye on the kids. We had so much fun… playing in the backyard (which is gorgeous), watching a Disney flick in the basement and playing with the cats.101_9573 101_9574 101_9577

We had a delicious dinner and then opened presents. It was so gratifying to see how much Shandai liked her crocheted items. She is such an amazing artist that I love that I can make her something she would enjoy!101_9575 101_9579 101_9580

So we made up for our sad with a rather busy series of happy times. We miss you Karyn!!! Thank you so much for visiting.101_9565 101_9578