Summer Vacation Updates…and the Start of 4th year!

August 9, 2019January 2, 2020 by Potential Doctor ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The summer is just flying by! I had a wonderful month of vacation in July. The highlight was a trip to West Virginia to visit my cousin and his family. We were so touched by their hospitality. They totally spoiled us!

The 12-hour drive from Quebec to West Virginia was spectacular. We took the scenic route through the Adirondack park in New York. I was impressed with how well the kids did on this long trip. They were excited to be the first to spot several deer as we drove by impressive rocks chiseled into the mountainside.

Our drive took us through Pennsylvania before we finally arrived in beautiful West Virginia. We spent most days poolside enjoying the beautiful weather with our nights perched on stools around the massive granite kitchen counter having hearty conversations covering all kinds of topics. I was especially happy to tinker on their beautiful grand piano majestically displayed near the fire place in the living room.

One particular evening, the adults had a night out on the town eating creole cuisine in a cobble-stoned square bubbling with vibrant music and laughter. The night ended with spectacular Tango music presented by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The exquisite skill with which the musicians displayed their talents gave me goose-bumps!

The kids had plenty of new experiences, trying out jet-skis for the first time and painting pottery. As we neared the end of our vacation, we hiked up to beautiful Cooper’s rock where massive green rolling hills outlined the horizon, with crystal blue waters snaking through the leafy backdrop. It was truly a fantastic, refreshing trip!

In early August, I had the wonderful opportunity to join 10 other musicians on stage at the Hudson Music Festival where we belted out a variety of Contemporary Christian tunes. My Yamaha keyboard (nicknamed “Mahaya” and given to me by one of my best friends 13 years ago) did not disappoint! It has been one of my dreams to perform with a band in this context and it was an awesome experience with an enthusiastic audience!

After a challenging year completing my third year of medical school, I feel so blessed to have spent such precious time with my family and friends! I am now 2 weeks into my fourth year of medical school, having an incredible experience on my Palliative Care elective rotation. More details to follow soon!

58236147-e74f-4e16-8410-f103e7afc4b9 — Ready to conquer the world!

14e11e39-b94d-436a-ad2d-ef7c12a28964 — More relaxation!

3702e129-9fa9-4563-bdc4-55129b069870 — Precious family time…beautiful Cooper’s rock, West Virginia

Ready for a dip in Horseshoe Lake, St-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec

Canoe-ride with daddy, Horseshoe Lake, Saint Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec

IMG_7732 (1) — Summer fun…and static electricity!

Exploring the woods, Saint Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec

Beautiful Canada Geese

November 4, 2018 by Potential Doctor ♥ 2 Comments

As we were driving from a friend’s house this evening, we came across this beautiful sight a few minutes from our home. Beautiful Canada Geese singing in chorus on a lake, likely taking a break from their southward migration for the winter. I couldn’t help stopping to take it all in!

Turkey Tails, Luna Moths and Canoes…Family Time in the Laurentians

September 8, 2015September 14, 2015 by Potential Doctor ♥ 2 Comments

Weekend getaways with the kids usually involve a significant degree of preparation. There comes a moment when I must sit on our suitcase trying to squeeze in all the various kid paraphernalia one needs while away from home. Our car is a Toyota matrix (not very big) but somehow my husband manages to cram in our suitcase, car-seats, food, playpen, feeding chair, books, toys, stroller, diaper bag and let’s not forget our two children and massive dog (Great Dane-Boxer mix) who takes up the entire trunk of the car! Despite the usual drama of preparing for a trip with kids, we had a beautiful weekend in the Laurentians visiting some of my husband’s family.

Turkey Tail Mushrooms spotted by Granny and Caleb in the woods

The weather was perfect all weekend for outdoor activities. While Caleb, daddy and Granny veered off the road and tromped through the woods investigating various kinds of fungi and insects, I continued to walk along the road with Naomi, not wanting to push the stroller to its limits in the vast interior of the woods. It was so peaceful with tall, sturdy trees lining both sides of the road, the sun glistening in between the leaves and casting abstract shadows on the ground below. Every so often, the sparkling lake came into view as random birds called out to their companions.

It’s moments like these when I feel especially close to God. I breathed in the fresh air and took the opportunity to pray and sing. There were no requests or complaints for God that day, just a simple prayer to thank Him for his goodness and to appreciate the beauty of nature. Just then, a small deer trotted quickly past us almost as if he waited for the opportune moment to cross right in front of us. I scrambled for my camera but he was too quick for me to catch him in action. Before I knew it, he had disappeared in the dense foliage of the woods. Granny later informed me that he was probably a young, excited “teenage” deer, exploring the woods for some adventure.

lun — Luna moth found by Granny in the woods

After the tromp in the woods, Caleb and Granny got to work making cheese puff pastries and they were delicious! Caleb and daddy then disappeared into the woods again, sneaking in a canoe-ride and swim in the lake. The water was tranquil, undisturbed and peaceful. The “boys” had dared to cross it at this moment of complete calm and solitude. As we said goodbye to the panoramic mountains, I couldn’t help feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be blessed with family both far and near. Sometimes I just gaze at my children and wonder, “Are they really mine? All mine? Amazing!”

Can you spot a little boy? Caleb and daddy canoeing on Horse-shoe Lake

Naomi getting a better view from daddy's shoulders — Naomi getting a good view from daddy’s shoulders

A picture of Northern Tooth Fungus courtesy of Granny

Celebration, Friendship and a Walk Down Memory Lane

August 31, 2015August 31, 2015 by Potential Doctor ♥ 15 Comments

As I write this post, I hear grunts, giggles and thumping sounds as my son Caleb and my husband roll around in the basement. Every so often, I hear “I’m ready to begin the battle” and “fight!“. In getting caught up in the day-to-day mounds of laundry, dishes, cooking and cleaning, I sometimes forget how blessed I am to have two little children and how the joyous sounds of their voices and laughter brighten up our home.

Celebration time! Caleb's first bike on his 4th birthday. — Celebration time! Caleb just turned 4 years old! He was thrilled to receive his first bike.

The past few days have been a grand celebration of Caleb’s fourth birthday. It seems like just yesterday he was born. Now he’s growing up into a funny, loving, curious and energetic boy and I love watching him experience the world through the eyes of a child. His birthday present was his first ever bike and as he donned his helmet and teetered precariously on it, I felt a little tug in my heart. I remember when I was riding my first bike and my older brothers were guiding me through the long grass of our backyard. Now it was our turn to guide our little boy and let him figure out how to maneuver his way around.

One of my oldest friends visited this weekend from the States to celebrate Caleb’s birthday with us. It amazes me that as children, we used to race around our local neighborhood on our BMX bikes wearing mini-skirts. Now here we are as adults and my friend is an adopted “auntie” to my children. It reminded me that close friendships are a beautiful thing and something that must be worked on and held on to.

We took a trip to downtown Montréal, about 45 minutes from our house, something we haven’t done in months. As we walked along the famed cobblestone streets of the Old Port, I noticed a newly married couple holding hands. The bride’s shimmering white dress flowed behind her and her husband pulled her along gently. Strangers, tourists and families milled around them oblivious, yet here was a new couple at the very start of their lives together. I had a quick flashback to my wedding day and it brought a smile to my face.

Caleb's first experience of poutine at Frite Alors! in downtown Montréal. — Caleb’s first experience of poutine at Frite Alors! in downtown Montréal.

My husband decided it was time to initiate Caleb into some Quebecois culture and so Caleb had his very first poutine (a dish of fries drenched in gravy and cheese-curds). It’s not the healthiest meal in the world but something you must experience at least once if you live in or visit Quebec. As we partook of our poutines at a restaurant called “Frite Alors!”, I was again thrown back in time. This restaurant used to be a cafe called “L’etranger” and my husband and I spent a lot of our time here during our dating days, sipping on hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. The decor was still the same with its faded red booths and plain square tables. An old piano sat on a raised platform waiting for some warm, pliant fingers to run along its keys. There was something very special about bringing our children to a place where my husband and I had spent our first dates, getting to know each other and growing our love for each other.

This weekend was a beautiful one of celebration, friendship and a walk down memory lane. So simple, yet so wonderful and a reminder of the many blessings I have to be grateful for.

Celebrating friendship: My oldest friend! We've known each other since we were 6 years old and grew up together in Kenya. — Celebrating friendship: My oldest friend! We’ve known each other since we were 6 years old and grew up together in Kenya.

See How Much I Love You

August 25, 2015August 25, 2015 by Potential Doctor ♥ 15 Comments

When my husband and I got married in 2007, one of the things he pledged to me (aside from a lifetime supply of chocolate) was that he would write me a note every day for the rest of our lives. I was impressed and waited to see if he would pull it off. He was inspired by a book called “Night Light, a devotional for couples” written by Dr. James and Shirley Dobson.

Within the first few pages of this book was a little excerpt describing the love between grandparents. They would play a daily game with each other where they wrote the word “shmily” somewhere around the house for each other to find. It was an expression and reminder of their love for each other.

“They dragged “shmily” with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio…”Shmily” was written in the steam on the bathroom mirror, where it would appear after every hot shower. At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave “shmily” on the very last sheet” [pg. 16].

My husband has been true to his word and somehow a note (usually a brightly colored post-it) has materialized in some unusual corner of the house. Sometimes it is in a kitchen cupboard where I find it when I’m cooking. Sometimes I find it rolled up in a box of cereal. Sometimes I find it hidden behind the leaves of one of our house plants as I’m watering it. When we travel, the note makes its way into a sock or a hidden pocket in the suitcase. We are certain someone might find one of these notes in a hotel room, left behind by mistake. Hopefully, it will brighten their day. Today, I found my note in my shower cap!

Caleb, our son, is starting to catch on. He proudly presents pink notes he has discovered and says, “Mummy, here’s a note from daddy”.

I sometimes joke that I will enter my husband into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most number of personal notes ever written. Since 2007, when we got married, they now number close to 3000 notes! I have kept them safely in a box in our bedroom hoping that one day the kids will read through them and know that their parents loved each other very much. I love these notes, they brighten up my day, motivate me, make me laugh, and remind me that I am appreciated and loved.

“S-h-m-i-l-y…..See How Much I Love You”