We squeaked out the last day of fall last week for this family shoot. After the rainiest Remembrance Day in recent memory we managed to reschedule for Tuesday and were blessed with gorgeous sunshine and warm temperatures. Krista had found this amazing location to have their pictures done at and it was such a blast to do pictures with such fall colours and natural props. 

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Photo of the Week

The last fallish picture, taken on Tuesday. A gorgeous crisp day that preceded the wintery days.

Five on Friday

1) This mornings walk in the snow reinforced the need for new hiking boots. Preferably ones that have "waterproof" somewhere in the description.

2) I'm four hours into being a single mom with a three year old and a 9 month old.  So far so good. They are sleeping... I"m alive. We will see how tomorrow goes =)

3) Deadly Duos

            a) I'm giving report on a patient I am moving out from the Trauma Room. " So the pt took a lethal dose of Med X, the result of that can be X Syndrome the symptoms being blah blah blah. However, chances of developing X Syndrome is slim because the antidote/treatment for X syndrome is Med Y, which also was consumed in excessive amounts.

          b) the PCC on the excessive disturbance coming from my Trauma Room. "is that an OD or ETOH".  me ".. ah... neither, that would be the driver of the single vehicle MVI."  ( Please don't drink, medicate, or drive high)

4) Now that mom's birthday is past, the Christmas Season is in full swing at our house. The putting up of the tree combined with multiple readings of Strauss Mouse's Silent Night had Emily declaring "that it must be Christmas Eve!!!"

                        

5) Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. - Gil Bailie

PS: Someone asked where I had hijacked the Remembrance Day photo from as obviously it was pouring rain in Chilliwack that day and the post was from before 11am. The picture was from a ceremony in 2009. Unless specifically stated or obvious (ie the picture is of me) All photos on the blog are my own work.

Happy Birthday Mom

Also on Remembrance day my Mom celebrated her birthday!!!I won't say which one, but just that it is a significant one equaling roughly double my age =). My mom is one of the most special people in my life, a wonderful woman who loves the Lord and that just spills into every aspect of her life, visible in her love for us and those around her.  We celebrated with lunch out with just our family and then a party at night for some extended family and friends.

Elena and Mom. Elena the brains behind the creativeness.

Mini Dessert Shots 

So special that Oma made it out for the evening

Remembrance Day

Remember those who gave their lives for our freedom

Pray for those who never had a chance to say goodbye

1) I felt like a hippy for the first time the other day. I have this great new necklace that I have been wearing.  the conversation went a little like this.
"that's a nice necklace"
"O thanks, I love it"
"its really unique"
Yeah.. its real flowers pressed on to moose antler"
that got raised eyebrow and a really careful "ahh that is....ah.. interesting.. where did you get it"
"Saltspring Island"
"ah.. now I understand".

2) For all of you who are rather depressed that fall drinks are done at Starbucks, rest easy and I will  introduce you to a pumpkin spice latte on crack.  For those moments when you want to recapture the spicy fall feeling without the yucky orangeness. I have been introduced and fallen in love with the Dirty Chai. I, however, do not have the courage to order it as that, Instead you can use the very long and princessy sounding " Grande, extra hot, chai latte with a shot of espresso!!!

3) I was feeling rather disengaged from the local political scene so I went to an all candidates meeting.  I think next time I'll be okay with being disengaged.
4) Trauma Quotes. Early morning trauma is not as exciting as on TV, especially when both of the trauma nurses were fast asleep, finely on their breaks at 530 in the morning. 
PCC- psst girls, wake up, stabbing 5 mins out
"really... who get stabbed at this time of night"
I go out, Kat heads to the washroom really quick.  I stumble out to the department. I wake up quickly once I realize the five mins was more like two and they are rolling through the door. I do my ABC assessment and start to relay info to Kat as she comes in to chart. 
" It happened at quarter to 6"
"mel.. its 530"
"oh sorry...... it happened at 545"
"Mel.. its 530".. I stare at the clock as if willing the minute hand to reverse, my mind scrambling,
"whatever.. 45 mins ago"

I will treat everyone the same but ones empathy does start to decrees with comments like this made to the cop.
" I'm not sure what happened, last time I got stabbed it was my fault.. but this.. I don't know why I've totally turned my life around, I promise.. I wouldn't hurt anyone unless I had too".   They do, however,  lead to interesting wound descriptions..
Me " okay.. so we have a 1 1/2 inch puncture wound to the right lateral chest, 4/5 intercostal space, one inch below alleged previous stab and 2 inches posterior to an apparent chest tube scar".

5) Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation, that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh and sing all in a breath; it is called "the rejoicing of hope" (Hebrews 3:6).

William Gurnall

Photo of the Week

Frozen Fall- Crazy Frost and Sunshine this morning.

The Overduins

Martin and Wieska are a couple whose passion for life is visible in all aspects of life.. their love for the Lord, for ministry, creativeness, hiking and especially in their love for each other and their precious children. I am privileged to call them my friends and always have a blast doing their pictures.  This session was a bit iffy due to wind and cold but the sun peaked through at the last second and we had a great time. 

Sadie was a fabulous addition to the family 6months ago and everyone just loves her to bits!!

Justin and his precious little sister

This little man is constatnly on the move!!