On the road again...

It's Wednesday morning at 5:54 a.m. and I am signing off for a bit. I am about to let the rubber meet the asphalt for a few days and start my summer holidays 2008 - yahoo! I do hope to have some fun and interesting things to report along the way. So, hang in there and I'll be back!!! Happy Summer :-)

Mom leaving Saskatoon on Sunday after a great visit to see the kids in their recital - see ya soon Gabby!

Jack's Final Game 0f 2008

What a great season for the A's! The boys are really growing and learning to love the sport of baseball. This year they played a three strike rule and actually made defensive plays with three outs. It was wonderful to watch them grow and get better each and every game. Our coaching always remains an issue; but with the help of some supportive Dad's our kids never felt neglected or as if they just didn't matter. We were super lucky to have a beautiful spring evening for our final game and I think I got some great shots :-)


Way to go Jack! Great hit...

Nice job working the pitching machine, Dad


On first and ready to run



And he's off ... rounding third

High fives all around with his best bud, Matt

Tennessee Kin Folk

I have lots of family pics to post, so I am just going to get at it. Dennis had such a wonderful time in Tennessee and always loves getting to hang out with Edward, Johnny, Jennifer and the gang. The kids and I will miss stopping by the mountain this year, but maybe it will prompt some of those kin folk to come see us in either Texas or Saskatchewan - hint, hint!! Thanks as always for your warm and welcome hospitality. We love y'all so much :-)



Howdy Edward!!!

Jessica and her Uncle Johnny

Jennifer making a nice cool drink


Johnny and Edward

Danny manning the BBQ and Edward making sure it all tastes alright. The dog, of course, is wondering where's his share :-)

Vicki and Johnny - did y'all notice a pattern of Johnny just posing for pictures... he's such a pretty boy!!!! Love you XOXO

Father's Day 2008

What a wonderful day we had!!! Dennis arrived home last night on his iron chariot after a 4,000 mile journey to Tennessee and back. He was cold, tired and ever so happy to be home. We let him sleep in until almost noon so that he could feel rested and recovered and enjoy the remaining hours of HIS day. I still had coffee on and the kids and I had purchased a dozen doughnuts - 6 of his favorite sour cream glazed dedicated only for him. He ate three of them while he enjoyed his homemade cards and a T-shirt the kids had painted for him with their hand prints. The rest of the day was spent on the computer, catching up on some UFC programming he had taped while away, and thinking about the Dagwood burger he was going to build for dinner :-) We have chocolate cake left to devour after our burgers, coleslaw and fries settle in our tummies. Tomorrow is the start of another week and no rest for the weary; with yards to be mowed, ball games to be played, field trips to attend and a Harley to be detailed and made road ready for next year! To my fabulous, gorgeous husband whom I adore...Welcome home and I love you with all of my heart. Happy Father's Day darling!


Dagwood burger extraordinare plus a Pepsi Max with slaw & fries - what could be better than that?!



Nice shirt Big Daddy. We love you!!!!!!

Field Trips Galore

It is that time of year; Field Trip Time!!! We technically have 9 days of school left, but I am not sure how much work is actually going to be getting done in the time remaining :-) This week the twins and Ali each had a field trip plus year end Mass and Alison has another on Friday. I was able to accompany Jack and Kitty to the Putt 'N Bounce this week and it was really nice to have our Grade 2 class all together for one last hooray. Our class is getting split next year, so some of these little ones that have been together in the same group for 4 years will no longer be class mates. There is definitely a sadness, but a hope for new friendships as well as strengthened old ones! Thanks Grade 2 and Madame Johnston for allowing Madame Paradis and I an opportunity to spend the morning with you. Merci!

Addendum: After this post was written, the school in its infinite wisdom decided to keep all of our kids together for the 2008-2009 school year! They will be amalgamated with the current grade 3 group and their teacher will be Mme Cowie - we are very happy to keeping our core strong :-)

Please pray for Chloe

As I awoke this morning, I knew what my first post of the week was going to be. Last night, my precious son, as I was putting him to sleep, signed the cross on my forehead, my lips and my heart. Such a quiet gesture; it spoke volumes. I am so blessed as a Mom.

However, I started my coffee, sat down at my computer and opened my e-mail. I was so saddened to find news from a friend amongst the SPAM. I have a girlfriend, whom I met when we lived in VietNam, who has a daughter that is fighting for her life, again. Chloe is 13 and has just undergone surgery for the removal of the 2nd medulla blastoma tumor in just under three years. She was first diagnosed with cancer in Singapore when she went in for a routine eye exam. They have lived in a Ronald McDonald house in New York for 9 months as well as endured Shirley's own battle with breast cancer at the same time. The scan this time was routine and the results incredibly unexpected and devastating. They have been BEATING this thing.

They feel positive that they have removed the tumor fully after a 5 hour emergency surgery. Now, the chemo and radiation awaits... Please, please pray for this family. Thank you.

Tales from the road

Dennis left for his annual Harley trek on Thursday, June 5th. Every year he battles different weather and road conditions, but soldiers on because he is a Harley Davidson enthusiast and a true biker. He does not have near as many opportunities to ride here in Saskatchewan as he did in both Texas and Florida. So, this one BIG ride normally does it for him for the year.

This year he has chosen Tennessee as his destination and will visit with his cousins Edward, Johnny and Jennifer. As I type, he is on his way this morning and should arrive in time for supper; which will probably be a big steak and a baked potato.

He phones in each evening during his journey and tells me about his day. The first day he battled some rain and high winds, but made it about 500 miles. The second day began with rain and then turned into 80 mph winds in South Dakota. As he crested a hill, he came upon an eighteen wheeler that had been toppled by the wind along with two vehicles that were stopping to help. He had no cell phone coverage at that point, so he just kept riding with his head behind the windshield, I am sure. The winds eventually died down and he was able to complete 700 miles yesterday, but not without one more scare. The sides of the highways are all quite overgrown with long grasses as he was riding through Iowa and he was being passed by two vehicles on the left. The first vehicle passed and as the second vehicle came parallel to him, a deer jumped out from the grasses. The car nailed it. I could actually feel the impact as Dennis told me this story! But by the grace of God, is all I can say. Dennis actually always starts each morning with a prayer of safety for his family back home and for a good days ride. He without a doubt had a co-pilot yesterday.

Backing out of the garage

On the road to Tennessee

In the eyes of the Lord...

My twins are official members of the Church! They have been confirmed and received their First Eucharist. What a beautiful ceremony we had with the Bishop Albert LeGatt presiding. Jack and Kathryn were very excited about their big day and even more so in learning that they were receiving new names as well. Jack chose Denis as an honor to his Dad along with the fact that Denis is the patron saint of France. Kathryn chose Cecilia, which is her great-grandmother's name, and who is also the patron saint of music. Obviously, with the kids genealogical French background on Dennis' side and the fact that they speak French every day in school; choosing French confirmation names was one of the easiest parts of our journey to this evening.

Jackson McKenzie Denis and Kathryn Mae Cecilia received Bibles with their names embossed and a new rosary too. From the Church they received a bracelet with a medallion of St. Ann, who is the patron of our parish. Dennis and I are very proud of them and it was inspiring to watch these little souls become so immersed in the Spirit. We as a family continue to be blessed in our journey with the Lord. God Bless you all.




Looking stylish and super excited about their evening

On our way to Church

June 4th 2008

Bishop LeGatt with Cecilia et Denis

The confirmands and their Dad

A Day at Kinsmen Park

We were so lucky to get a call yesterday from some friends that had moved out of Province a while back. Jack had a buddy over for a play date already and we decided to meet up with the out-of-towners at Kinsmen Park. Woo boy was it fun :-) The kids had a great time hanging out and playing like there had never been a gap in their friendship. It was awesome to visit with the adults while the kids completely ignored us for almost two hours!!! And the best part was after all that laughing and playing and eating ice cream; we beat the rain home...