Monday, May 18, 2020
Friday, April 24, 2020
20th Wedding Anniversary
Facebook put up a lovely video to mark the occasion.
https://www.facebook.com/amandasalmon/videos/225023005392856/
https://www.facebook.com/amandasalmon/videos/225023005392856/
We celebrated our 20th anniversary in an unique way because of the current quarantine/lock down situation. Derek and I went out on some errands and had a special surprise of getting to see his Dad for the first time since he had begun chemo 5 weeks earlier!
Social distanced family photo
Then the kids setup and prepared a beautiful steak dinner for our anniversary.
And Diedre made a beautiful three flavour cake
20 years married is quite an accomplishment in some ways and then a lot of just continuing to do the same things day after day. The usual things of dealing with or ignoring conflict, facing life together as well as living daily as partners and parents. I’m not trying to sound negative, but it’s not all fun times and there have been so many different phases in our twenty years—growing from age 24 and 22 to 44 and 42—literally growing up together.
We took a really fun trip to the Las Vegas Challenge for disc golf in February to celebrate but our actual anniversary fell during a time we had never expected.
We have been home together during the coronavirus and it has been a really good thing for us. We have embraced the slowed down pace of life, co-parented like never before, worked on planning and executing projects around home (he drafted a 4 page list of jobs for himself around home!), still had little dates even if it was just driving to the dump and back together or going grocery shopping for his parents together.
One thing that has been constant for us in our marriage, besides our commitment to serving God in our church community and in our home, is that we love to play—and we love to hang out together. We are definitely each other’s best friends.
I really appreciate his perspective on challenges I have in relationships or just when life is confusing for me. He is definitely my biggest fan and on my team. I’m just remembering when he really wanted me to come back to the climbing gym (when he used to go twice a week, before disc golf life took over)—I felt out of shape and out of place when I went (insecure) and he said “I just think you’re so awesome and I want people to get to know you!” Okay, I’m swooning a little now.
Derek came through for me in such an amazing and supportive way when my father unexpectedly got sick and within ten weeks, passed away. I will forever be grateful for the love he showed me then.
Thank you God, for a faithful friend and husband in Derek. We are both far from perfect, but I can say again, like I did in my wedding vows, that I am confident that God brought us together. Happy 20th anniversary to my Super Buddy, Husband, Best Friend. Ps. He’s got great arms.
Great advice from Fierce Marriage on Facebook:
Monday, April 13, 2020
Happy Covid Birthday
That’s what they call them these days. Quarantine Birthday. Covid Birthday. I was hoping for a birthday parade haha, that didn’t happen, but my Family made it special with gifts of food, coffee, presents, decorations. It’s only 42, NBD, but it was weird and special. I actually really like not having pressure to “do a birthday activity” since we’re not allowed to go for hikes or disc golf right now.
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Easter in lockdown
One of my favourite celebrations as a Christian was far from cancelled but it certainly looked different. We had church from home like we have been for the last month. Thankfully Jesus never changes and His story of resurrection is powerful and unites believers all over the world.
Our church hosted a really fun drive around town egg hunt using an app called Three Words or something with a chocolate bunny for each child at the end. We hosted our own egg hunt which my adorable husband prepared and itemized below haha
Monday, March 30, 2020
Life changing times
March 2020 unfolded in such a strange and unexpected way.
Our family was still reeling from the cancer diagnosis of our beloved Papa Salmon. Every day we were struggling with our feelings. Derek was living in the cloud of grief I remember being in with my Dad’s diagnosis only months before. The kids didn’t want to go to school because they would cry or just didn’t want anyone to ask them about it/ignore it completely. I was praying to have the strength to be there for Derek and each of my kids, to support them and to support my in-laws. It was very intense. It was triggering my recent feelings of loss for my Dad too. Then our focus started to shift to world news.
There was more and more news everyday about Coronavirus which was also being called Covid-19. My brother and family had plans to fly to New York City for March break and their entire airline (Cathay Pacific) cancelled all flights. They rebooked through another airline but within a week it was becoming clear that travel was getting shutdown around the WORLD.
Heading into the week of Derek’s birthday (March 13), some strange behaviours were showing up on social media. I went to Costco on March 8 and noticed people rushing to the toilet paper and loading up with 3 or 4 of the large 30 packs which I thought was strange. I bought only one large pack like I normally would.
Later that day and the next on social media, there were videos and pictures of people in BC, shopping and running, or rather, racing to the back of the store for toilet paper! There were pictures of empty shelves in grocery stores. With weeks, pasta, rice, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes were no where to be found!
On March 12, news coming out of Alberta was that schools were getting shut down because of the virus. This got me feeling nervous so I kept the kids home on Derek’s birthday. That was their last day of school before spring break and now—possibly their last day of school for this year!
I do a prayer journal entry most days and my first mention of the virus was on March 14. That day, I wrote, that it had been confirmed in 175,000 people worldwide and would continue to rise in the next month or two.
On March 16, the first Monday of “Spring Break” I was started to get pretty anxious about the numbers. Alberta announced that they were closing schools until September! The next day the BC government announced the same and said all children would pass their grade and be passed on to the next grade fir September. The health campaign is to “flatten the curve” so that the healthcare system doesn’t get overwhelmed, which is what we were seeing happening in Milan Italy. Any gathering over 250 people has been cancelled. NHL, NBA, PGA, disc golf, athletic gyms, swimming pools—ALL SHUTDOWN! It was craziness. Some NBA players got the virus. Starbucks was only allowing drive through now!
I wrote in my journal, that they call it “Social Distancing”. No handshakes or hugs. Stay 1 metre apart. No more congregating. We actually led worship on the last Sunday we met as a church (March 15). I felt so nervous to be there. Less people came. The news was constantly advising people who are sick to stay home and self-isolate. I was trying to figure out what I was so fearful of: running out of food and money was what I could figure out. The kids and I went on a beautiful social-distance hike with my Mom that day. That would be the last time we visited with her in that way for a long time.
Diedre had two days of babysitting scheduled that week and I was so worried for her to go. I didn’t want her to get sick and pass it on to Derek’s parents. By Wednesday, my empathy for the dying (reported to be dying alone because there were so many cases all at once in Italy especially) and their loved ones not getting to be at their side or have a proper funeral, was breaking my heart. I was so down about this. The numbers as of March 18 were 3237 for China with 11 new deaths in 24 hours, and Italy had 475 new deaths to bring the total to 2978.
By Friday, youth group was officially cancelled for the teens. I was not going to let them go anyway so I was relieved.
By March 21, all non-essential stores were closed. Only grocery stores, pharmacies, take-out only for restaurants and cafes. Derek was working extra long days and I was feeling worn out from the anxiety and being home with the kids alone—even though they are pretty easy and just content to hang out at home. I was trying to surrender my stress to the Lord. I realized that in my normal life, I have anxiety that I’d learned to manage—throw in a cancer diagnosis and a worldwide pandemic and apparently it was too much for me. BC numbers were released and there had been 10 deaths in BC and 19 across Canada from the virus.
Monday, March 23 brought the closing of all playgrounds, basketball courts and sports fields. No more disc golf (we had gone almost every day the first week of Spring Break.
Anything where people would gather in groups. They lowered the number to 50 people or less and then down to 10 or less, and then to 5 (so people with big families were making lots of jokes about that one). That was also the first day of Chemo for Papa. We were told that he could no longer have any visitors. That was very sad news.
My prayer was to God to “please cover each Christian with Your light of the Holy Spirit, like little flames walking among people at the hospitals across the world, and caring for the dying, and please draw people to Your Kingdom—TODAY is The Day of salvation. And for us believers, please increase our faith—help us to trust wholly in You and not be tricked by the devil to focus on other things—please help me to lead my children to face this, face You, and let You give them comfort, strength, and joy.
John 11:40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Our family was still reeling from the cancer diagnosis of our beloved Papa Salmon. Every day we were struggling with our feelings. Derek was living in the cloud of grief I remember being in with my Dad’s diagnosis only months before. The kids didn’t want to go to school because they would cry or just didn’t want anyone to ask them about it/ignore it completely. I was praying to have the strength to be there for Derek and each of my kids, to support them and to support my in-laws. It was very intense. It was triggering my recent feelings of loss for my Dad too. Then our focus started to shift to world news.
There was more and more news everyday about Coronavirus which was also being called Covid-19. My brother and family had plans to fly to New York City for March break and their entire airline (Cathay Pacific) cancelled all flights. They rebooked through another airline but within a week it was becoming clear that travel was getting shutdown around the WORLD.
Heading into the week of Derek’s birthday (March 13), some strange behaviours were showing up on social media. I went to Costco on March 8 and noticed people rushing to the toilet paper and loading up with 3 or 4 of the large 30 packs which I thought was strange. I bought only one large pack like I normally would.
Later that day and the next on social media, there were videos and pictures of people in BC, shopping and running, or rather, racing to the back of the store for toilet paper! There were pictures of empty shelves in grocery stores. With weeks, pasta, rice, toilet paper, hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes were no where to be found!
On March 12, news coming out of Alberta was that schools were getting shut down because of the virus. This got me feeling nervous so I kept the kids home on Derek’s birthday. That was their last day of school before spring break and now—possibly their last day of school for this year!
I do a prayer journal entry most days and my first mention of the virus was on March 14. That day, I wrote, that it had been confirmed in 175,000 people worldwide and would continue to rise in the next month or two.
On March 16, the first Monday of “Spring Break” I was started to get pretty anxious about the numbers. Alberta announced that they were closing schools until September! The next day the BC government announced the same and said all children would pass their grade and be passed on to the next grade fir September. The health campaign is to “flatten the curve” so that the healthcare system doesn’t get overwhelmed, which is what we were seeing happening in Milan Italy. Any gathering over 250 people has been cancelled. NHL, NBA, PGA, disc golf, athletic gyms, swimming pools—ALL SHUTDOWN! It was craziness. Some NBA players got the virus. Starbucks was only allowing drive through now!
I wrote in my journal, that they call it “Social Distancing”. No handshakes or hugs. Stay 1 metre apart. No more congregating. We actually led worship on the last Sunday we met as a church (March 15). I felt so nervous to be there. Less people came. The news was constantly advising people who are sick to stay home and self-isolate. I was trying to figure out what I was so fearful of: running out of food and money was what I could figure out. The kids and I went on a beautiful social-distance hike with my Mom that day. That would be the last time we visited with her in that way for a long time.
Diedre had two days of babysitting scheduled that week and I was so worried for her to go. I didn’t want her to get sick and pass it on to Derek’s parents. By Wednesday, my empathy for the dying (reported to be dying alone because there were so many cases all at once in Italy especially) and their loved ones not getting to be at their side or have a proper funeral, was breaking my heart. I was so down about this. The numbers as of March 18 were 3237 for China with 11 new deaths in 24 hours, and Italy had 475 new deaths to bring the total to 2978.
By Friday, youth group was officially cancelled for the teens. I was not going to let them go anyway so I was relieved.
By March 21, all non-essential stores were closed. Only grocery stores, pharmacies, take-out only for restaurants and cafes. Derek was working extra long days and I was feeling worn out from the anxiety and being home with the kids alone—even though they are pretty easy and just content to hang out at home. I was trying to surrender my stress to the Lord. I realized that in my normal life, I have anxiety that I’d learned to manage—throw in a cancer diagnosis and a worldwide pandemic and apparently it was too much for me. BC numbers were released and there had been 10 deaths in BC and 19 across Canada from the virus.
Monday, March 23 brought the closing of all playgrounds, basketball courts and sports fields. No more disc golf (we had gone almost every day the first week of Spring Break.
Anything where people would gather in groups. They lowered the number to 50 people or less and then down to 10 or less, and then to 5 (so people with big families were making lots of jokes about that one). That was also the first day of Chemo for Papa. We were told that he could no longer have any visitors. That was very sad news.
My prayer was to God to “please cover each Christian with Your light of the Holy Spirit, like little flames walking among people at the hospitals across the world, and caring for the dying, and please draw people to Your Kingdom—TODAY is The Day of salvation. And for us believers, please increase our faith—help us to trust wholly in You and not be tricked by the devil to focus on other things—please help me to lead my children to face this, face You, and let You give them comfort, strength, and joy.
John 11:40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Friday, February 28, 2020
Fifteen Candles
Ezekiel had the idea to buy her a ukulele and wanted to pay for half of it. She was so excited to open it! He planned such a sweet and thoughtful surprise for her.
This grade 9 year has been a year of growing up with her first loss of a grandparent, adjusting to a new school and social groups, losing some friends and having her eyes opened to some pretty serious problems among her classmates.
As a family we always do a birthday activity of the child’s choice but this time we tried to make her birthday special and I had planned a concert for our whole family to go to on February 27 (but Derek was still sick from Vegas—hopefully Coronavirus—and didn’t feel up to it so we took a friend).
The concert was full of many musicians that we all liked. Some of Diedre’s favourites and really someone for everyone. It was a crazy long concert—like 4 hours or more!! So many families from school were there too. Toby Mac, Jordan Feliz, Aaron Cole, We are Messengers, Tauren Wells and more! It was crazy. Unfortunately Ezekiel got a crazy headache (not a good combo for a super loud concert) and kept having to leave the arena. I had earplugs in which were super helpful and so I finally gave them to him but he was too far gone. It was so loud! Anyway, if we do that again, I’ll make sure to stock up on earplugs for everyone. The birthday girl seemed to like it a lot
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
A trip to celebrate
Sometime last year, I suggested to Derek that we should go to the Las Vegas Challenge Disc Golf tournament to celebrate our upcoming 20 year Wedding Anniversary (April 24). So we saved up and found some local friends that were also planning to go. We booked two nights at The Flamingo and would stay five nights with friends for free (sharing costs of Uber to the tournament each day).
I was excited to get direct flights from Abbotsford for a decent price! We flew out on February 16. The Flamingo room was upgraded for about $30 and it was HUGE! A long wall of windows with a view of the strip and the Bellagio fountains. We’d call the kids in FaceTime and show them the fountain show. Loved that!
The weather was perfect but I suffered from crazy altitude headaches for four days straight and took steady doses of Advil. While we were there we started hearing more about Coronavirus that was coming out of Wuhan China. I was getting a little worried being in such a hub of international travellers. At one point Derek was coughing so hard and throughout the night. We both hope we had a mild case of the virus. They did ask us while travelling if we’d been to China.
The disc golf tournament went great! Not that we played especially well in our categories, but the event was super fun, the Las Vegas disc golf club were super helpful hosts, the weather was amazing, and the company of our local friends down there was so great! It was a fun time being together to celebrate our 20 years of adventuring and our marriage. We didn’t really do much Vegas-y type stuff other than a 24 hour buffet (except for celebrating Robin’s birthday on Fremont Street). We were able to buy the buffet passes in time that we got 5 meals for it! We enjoyed a lovely view of real flamingos while we dined, we got lost a few times and ended up having our final meal at a lovely French cuisine buffet. Seriously so good!
Life had been pretty tough after the loss of my Dad. It was so good to get away. Our poor kids were still dealing with the strangeness of losing a Grandparent when we got the news in February that Derek’s Dad was also diagnosed with cancer. We got the confirmation of it while we were away. Derek and I decided we would keep the kids home on the day after we returned from Vegas so we could hang out and share this sad news.
Our eldest daughter was just about to turn 15 so we were trying to choose the best possible time to let the kids in on this news—we knew we wanted to wait til we got back so we could comfort them since we knew it would hit them hard.
I was excited to get direct flights from Abbotsford for a decent price! We flew out on February 16. The Flamingo room was upgraded for about $30 and it was HUGE! A long wall of windows with a view of the strip and the Bellagio fountains. We’d call the kids in FaceTime and show them the fountain show. Loved that!
The weather was perfect but I suffered from crazy altitude headaches for four days straight and took steady doses of Advil. While we were there we started hearing more about Coronavirus that was coming out of Wuhan China. I was getting a little worried being in such a hub of international travellers. At one point Derek was coughing so hard and throughout the night. We both hope we had a mild case of the virus. They did ask us while travelling if we’d been to China.
The disc golf tournament went great! Not that we played especially well in our categories, but the event was super fun, the Las Vegas disc golf club were super helpful hosts, the weather was amazing, and the company of our local friends down there was so great! It was a fun time being together to celebrate our 20 years of adventuring and our marriage. We didn’t really do much Vegas-y type stuff other than a 24 hour buffet (except for celebrating Robin’s birthday on Fremont Street). We were able to buy the buffet passes in time that we got 5 meals for it! We enjoyed a lovely view of real flamingos while we dined, we got lost a few times and ended up having our final meal at a lovely French cuisine buffet. Seriously so good!
Our eldest daughter was just about to turn 15 so we were trying to choose the best possible time to let the kids in on this news—we knew we wanted to wait til we got back so we could comfort them since we knew it would hit them hard.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Christmas without you
My parents separated and began new lives very far apart geographically. Christmas with both of them was not a memory I had growing up.
I didn’t celebrate Christmas with my Dad until I was 12 because all of our visits were in the spring or summer. My mother flew from Toronto to Vancouver with my brother and I for our first Christmas together with our Dad and his new wife (of four years) and her two teenage daughters. My mom stayed with her sister nearby.
It was a magical Christmas. My Dad and step mom, Diane had designed, built and decorated a beautiful home. Diane would set aside time with me to teach me how to bake Christmas treats: quick and easy squares, lemon coconut squares, and other easy to assemble treats. My brother always went off to work on projects with my Dad in the shop. It was a lovely visit and I loved getting to know my new step sisters who had careers already and were so cool and accomplished.
We attended several parties, some with friends of my Dad, some with family and my cousins. I was delighted to open a beautiful party dress and an adorable bunny. Twelve is a special age of walking the line of childhood and becoming a young woman. That Christmas filled my heart in so many ways.
When I moved to BC in my early adulthood, I got to spend a few Christmases with my Dad and Diane. It was fun to travel to the different places they lived and spend time together. I don't remember that much about the visits but I guess thats how young adults are, just enjoying what they enjoy--going snowboarding, hanging out together, eating together.
Once the babies started arriving in our young married lives, Poppa and Diane would take the trek over from the Island to come for Christmas dinner. Sometimes those visits were postponed because of the snow, but often they were there. I was always happy to see my Dad cuddling one of my new babies. Sometimes I felt like I was putting the child in his arms against his will, but thinking back, I can see now that joy in his face and his willingness to cuddle a grandbaby. I think I was often insecure about how he was receiving me or my kids because we didn't know each other that well, really.
Heading into Christmas this year, I definitely felt the weight of sorrow and was not anticipating some things like I normally would. Decorating and Christmas tree hunting was significantly subdued for me and quite delayed. We had a wonderful visit at my Mom's with my brother's family. I felt so in the moment and just loved being together after all the sadness of the fall.
Christmas Day we would go visit at my Brother's, and I was really missing my Dad. That's where he would always be. On the sofa, visiting whoever was nearby. I cherish the pictures of him from those yearly dinners, cuddling a baby or watching grandkids gather around. I know now the joy that our family brought to him. I'm so thankful we had a few years of living near to one another so we could get closer in our relationship. He really loved me and my family and made the effort to come to family gatherings all year round.
I didn’t celebrate Christmas with my Dad until I was 12 because all of our visits were in the spring or summer. My mother flew from Toronto to Vancouver with my brother and I for our first Christmas together with our Dad and his new wife (of four years) and her two teenage daughters. My mom stayed with her sister nearby.
It was a magical Christmas. My Dad and step mom, Diane had designed, built and decorated a beautiful home. Diane would set aside time with me to teach me how to bake Christmas treats: quick and easy squares, lemon coconut squares, and other easy to assemble treats. My brother always went off to work on projects with my Dad in the shop. It was a lovely visit and I loved getting to know my new step sisters who had careers already and were so cool and accomplished.
We attended several parties, some with friends of my Dad, some with family and my cousins. I was delighted to open a beautiful party dress and an adorable bunny. Twelve is a special age of walking the line of childhood and becoming a young woman. That Christmas filled my heart in so many ways.
When I moved to BC in my early adulthood, I got to spend a few Christmases with my Dad and Diane. It was fun to travel to the different places they lived and spend time together. I don't remember that much about the visits but I guess thats how young adults are, just enjoying what they enjoy--going snowboarding, hanging out together, eating together.
Once the babies started arriving in our young married lives, Poppa and Diane would take the trek over from the Island to come for Christmas dinner. Sometimes those visits were postponed because of the snow, but often they were there. I was always happy to see my Dad cuddling one of my new babies. Sometimes I felt like I was putting the child in his arms against his will, but thinking back, I can see now that joy in his face and his willingness to cuddle a grandbaby. I think I was often insecure about how he was receiving me or my kids because we didn't know each other that well, really.
Heading into Christmas this year, I definitely felt the weight of sorrow and was not anticipating some things like I normally would. Decorating and Christmas tree hunting was significantly subdued for me and quite delayed. We had a wonderful visit at my Mom's with my brother's family. I felt so in the moment and just loved being together after all the sadness of the fall.
Christmas Day we would go visit at my Brother's, and I was really missing my Dad. That's where he would always be. On the sofa, visiting whoever was nearby. I cherish the pictures of him from those yearly dinners, cuddling a baby or watching grandkids gather around. I know now the joy that our family brought to him. I'm so thankful we had a few years of living near to one another so we could get closer in our relationship. He really loved me and my family and made the effort to come to family gatherings all year round.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)