I am horrible

I keep forgetting that I have this blog, that is why I am horrible.  Trying to keep up with it all has been a challenge.  Life is great! 

July 2022 I completed my PSW program at Trillium College, with honors! When I first got the idea in my head to go back to school at 43 yrs old, I was thinking am I crazy? I am too old for this.  However I am glad I didn't listen to that voice in my head.  It wasn't easy trying to balance out family life, school and and still trying to work through it all.  The thing I appreciate the most was my family, Mom and Will they stepped up to help out with Joy.  It wasn't easy.  I missed my family in that time.  My schedule was class 8 am to 1 pm class, then 2-3 pm to 9:30 pm work.  Then when I a started placement 6/7 am to 3 pm. Sunday to Friday (the last few weeks as I had to get my hours in as I was out for 3 weeks due to COVID hitting my whole household, including myself).  It was a challenge, however in the end it was totally worth it.

I got my first job at a Long Term Care facility, however I didn't like it.  The distance was difficult, and the staff I worked with where not so friendly.  I still had my retail job still.  So I didn't pick up any shifts at the LTC and worked at the retail job.  At the same time I kept applying at at other places.  November 2022 I got hired on at a LTC/Hospital and I am loving it.  

Being a PSW is rewarding, yes there are challenges.  Seeing the residents/patients smile, or that one who just gives you a hug out of the blue and even say how much they appreciate you and the gratefulness from from the families.  Some of challenges a PSW faces, dealing with ones who can be violent, or resistant because they have dementia and they don't understand you are trying to help them but they think you are trying to harm them.  When the resident or patient you cared for passes away it is hard.  If you are going to be a PSW for the money, stay out of it.  It takes heart, and compassion and a desire to serve others.  

Sincerely,

 

Anna

So Much to Share

 I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything.  I actually forgot about this blog to be honest with you.

First of all, Joy she is 10 yrs old.  It is so hard to believe how long it's been.  She is turning into a young lady.  

In November 2021, I took a big step of faith and went back to school to take the Personal Support Worker Course at Trillium College.  That is one choice I do not regret.  It was not easy trying to be a wife, Mom and trying to maintain my full time job.  My day would start at 8 am to 1 pm for school then work from 3-9:30.  It was so exhausting.  Then when placement started it was 6/7 am to 3 pm then work 5-9:30.  However I did experience one obstacle, I had to be off placement for 3 weeks as COVID went through our home.  Thankfully we did not get it severe.  When I returned I was working placement 6 days a week plus my job.  I had to get my placement hours done.  Then I wrote my NACC Exam and passed.  It was all worth it.  I graduated with honors.  The only downfall was we didn't get a graduation ceremony.  

Merry Christmas

From my family to yours, wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Anna

Apple Picking October 11, 2014

This past weeks my family went to Watson's Farms in Bowmanville, Ontario. This Summer/Fall has been many firsts. I seem to be doing things with Joy that I never got to experience  in my childhood.  So I feel like a little kid all over again. 

When we first arrived Will and I took her to the front where there where pumpkins. Row after row. They had orange pumpkins, white pumpkins and ones with bumps on them. Joy just walked through them row on row. Pointing to them. Then we got our ride to the orchard to pick apples. Honestly I was worried that I might get stung by wasps. I was surprised I did not see that many. Joy ate a whole apple. She really likes the red delicious. I tried a northern spy apple, I got a few bites and she took my apple. 

These moments are so precious. I am one blesses woman! Thank you Jesus!!

Anna 

Friends

On Saturday afternoon I finished my shift. As I was getting ready to punch out Sabrina and Massimo where standing there. I was so excited. My closest friend came out from Missisauga to visit. I alway enjoy my time with her. 

Been a while!!!

I know I have not posted in a while. Life has been so busy trying to balance it all out has been a challange. Hard to believe Joy is two years old I look at her and she has gone from looking like a little baby to a little girl. 

This past weekend, Joy and I went to our first Ribfest. We both loved it. Joy went on some carnival rides. She loved it. 

Anna

Family

This past weekend my cousin Cheryle and Teresa and my Uncle Reg came over for a visit. It was a great afternoon. I was expecting Joy to make strange but she didn't. She loved them all especially her Uncle Reg. 

Anna 

Great Wolf Lodge

Joy just turned 2 years almost 2 wks ago. Part of our celebration included a night at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls Ontario. We found it was pricey but it was well worth it. This was our first family vacation. 

I would love to go back, but when Joy is old enough to enjoy it. 

Anna

My 35th Birthday Celebration

This past Wednesday (April 24) was my birthday celebration! It was a great day.  I had a few friends and family over for cake and snacks.  I decided to give Joy a piece of cake and let her go nuts eating it.  It was so cute! Getting her ready for her first birthday.  The next day I wish I had a piece of cake because I just wanted to watch her dive into to cake.  

Anna

Weight Loss Blog

For those of you who are not aware yet, I have started another blog that is focused on my weight loss.  I look forward to hearing your feedback on my new blog.  

Here is the link: 
Shedding it off

Anna

Dealing with Infant loss

Last night I had a rough night for sleeping.  Then Joy decided to wake up at 12:30 am.  I was a little annoyed, but as I am making her bottle I was reminded of a Mother who most likely getting up every 3 hours to feed her newborn, well last night she wasn't.  Instead she was most likely up all night grieving the loss of her 3 wk old son.  I was also reminded how upset it made me when people would complain about not getting any sleep when Faith died.  I had to repent right there and I do not think Joy understood but I apologized to her too.  It is a part of being a Mom.

Every time I hear of an infant passing away, whether it is genetic issues and expected, SIDS, or stillbirth my heart breaks for them.  I understand how they are feeling.  People think that we will get over it.  That is so not true, we never get over it!! We learn to cope.  Our lives are changed forever! 

Ways to help a friend or family who have are going through this difficult time:

• Let them vent, they will be feeling angry and sad all at once.
• Offer your shoulder to cry on.
• Prepare meals for the family, believe me they will not want to cook.  They will appreciate that.
• Take up a collection to help with burial expenses.
• Let them share their memories about their child.

What not to do:

• Not acknowledging the baby lived, the baby lived in the mothers womb, and maybe lived a short life after birth.  No matter how short the baby's life was they existed.
• Do not say things like, "God has a plan", "It was for the better", "He/She is in a better place" "You will have another one"  No matter how many babies you have, they will never replace the one you lost.
• Do not throw scripture in their face, that is the last thing they want to hear.  They are probably angry at God whether or not they believe in Him or not.
• Avoid giving the pity look
• Do not avoid them like they have the plaque.  This is the time that they need their friends and family for support. That will force the grieving Mother into isolating herself from others and it is bad enough that postpartum depression is creeping up.  Then there is the grief on top of it.

Thank you for reading my blog post.  I hope you have an understanding of what a grieving Mother goes through and is able to be there to help them through it!.

Anna

Getting Back on Track

Well it has been awhile since have written.  Christmas went very well.  Joy did not fully understand what was going on.  She just saw that she got a whole bunch of toys.  Joy was sick over Christmas, two more teeth where getting ready to pop through.  Tooth #3 and #4 has popped through.  I cannot get over how well she is handling it all.  She may be sick, or her gums may be sore but she laughs and smiles through it all.  She is not really a fussy baby.  She has her moments.

Trying to figure out a workout schedule is not very easy.  The toughest part is lacking motivation to go.  I really want to set the example for a healthy lifestyle.  What I went through growing up being overweight was awful.  Getting teased at school it was awful.  They say kids will be kids but they do not understand how hurtful they are until later on the years as they grow up and mature as adults.  I really do not Joy to go through that torture.  I do not want her to become an emotional eater like I struggle with.  How can I teach her how to eat healthy and to get active if I am not doing that myself.  Every day I make it a point to tell Joy how beautiful she is.

During Christmas was a huge struggle for me.  We have had some really stressful times but we still enjoyed Christmas.  I was not consistent with taking PGX so therefore I totally binged out on sweets.  So needless to say I gained 12 pounds.  Now I have to stop taking it because I am participating with with a group with friends to be a part of a Biggest Loser, so to be fair I have stopped taking it. I look at it from this perspective, I am saving money.  I do not want to have to take it for life so maybe this will help me get started so I am not depending on it.  I love the product but right now I cannot afford the product.

Anna 

Rejection of Bad Foods

During this weight loss journey I do have my good days where I eat healthy.  Since I started PGX daily I stopped counting calories but I found myself eating foods I should not be eating.  Yesterday was a really bad day.  My body told me very well not to eat that stuff.  I had a really bad stomach ache and you know what follows that one.  Last night I told my husband to remind me of what happens when I eat that crap.  So, as of today back to counting calories.  That way I can see exactly what I am consuming.  It does become frustraing measuring everything by servings, but I have to do what I have to do to get healthy.  

Anna 

Exciting Things!!!

I know it has been a while since I posted.  This weight loss journey has been a battle.  No matter how hard I have tried cutting out the junk food and the sugar cravings where so bad.  I think about how fast time is flying and I really wanted to return to work with 100 lbs down, I am no where near that goal and Joy is almost 6 months old.

I always saw this add on TV for a product called PGX Daily and I was always wondering about it.  After googling like crazy and found not one thing negative.  I finally decided to give it a try.  October 19, 2012 is the start.  On October 20, 2012 I got to meet the spokeswoman Kathy Smith at the Oshawa Center.  I am so happy to have met her and to hear her story.  

Since starting PGX Daily I have lost 10.5 lbs.  Since starting it I have no sugar cravings!! I am able to enjoy a treat and not binge on it.  So far it has changed by life.

Since having the baby my total weight loss is 43.5 lbs.  I just reset my starting weight when I started PGX.  I highly recommend it. The first one is taken October 19, 2012 and the second one was taken November 11, 2012.

Anna 

Joy's Dedication

Sunday October 14, 2012 was a big day for Joy.  She got dedicated.  You are thinking what is that? It is like a Christening but there is no water.  We believe that baptism is a personal choice that you make when you are old enough to understand.  We as parents are making a commitment to teach her and set an example to live for Jesus.  It was a special day.  Joy's Godparents are Jon and Maryann, my brother and sister in law.  I am so blessed to see the family and friends that come out to celebrate this wonderful occasion.  Thank you so much!

Love,
Anna

Setting the Example

Life gets so busy.  You forget the most important things.  I find I do not have the time to pick up the phone and call people.  Trying to balance everything out.  Being a Mom is not easy.  Learning to adjust is still a struggle.  The biggest thing that I have a hard time with and it is the most important thing in my life.  My devotion time and Prayer time with Jesus.  When I was a teenager it was so easy to include that in my life.  As time went on, work, social life, church activities and family life.  It is so frustrating trying to get that area back on track.  Now as a Mom and desires Joy to want to seek God, live for Him I must set the example for her.  How do you Mom's do it?

Anna

Been Awhile

It has been a while since my last post.  I have been really busy.  Trying to think of things to do to keep Joy busy.  August 19 she turned 3 months old.  So hard to believe it has been 3 months since I gave birth.  Honestly, she really brings joy to our life.  The most wonderful thing is first thing in the morning she gives this big huge smile.  She loves it when I sing to her.  

Joy is feeding a lot better now and she also is starting to sleep longer at night. I only get up once these days for a feeding.  I still wake up though, waiting for her to wake up.  

On Wednesday August 22, Will and I took her swimming for the first time.  Her Auntie Jenny and her cousin Dean came along to join us.  At first she cried but she got used to it.  I even got some laughs out of her.

Lately I have been struggling with the weight loss.  Really struggling with saying no to junk food.  The good thing is that we got our gym membership back up.  I have gone twice this week so far.  I heading out soon to go today.

Have a great day!

Anna

Anna

Sugar

Well things have progressed with me in the sugar issue.  I have now cut it out of my coffee.  I did not think I could ever do it.  I do not even use sweetener.  There is something I do notice, I will have a muffin, or a little donut hole I find myself wanting more and more sweets and sometimes even chips.  This battle against sugar is not an easy one but I will overcome.  The one thing I really make the effort to have in the house is fruit.  The better choice.  Yes, it does have natural sugar but the human body can handle that kind of sugar.  So my total weight loss since having the baby is 42lbs!

Anna

Created by MyFitnessPal - Nutrition Facts For Foods

Music

It was a frustrating night, up every 2 hours for feedings.  This morning, it was all worth it.  When she finally was ready to get up around 8:30am.  We have music going in her room constantly.  We notice that she loves music and it relaxes her.  As I was changing her diaper I was singing along to the music and she was just smiling away.  Instead of bringing her down to the living room we sat in the chair in her room.  As I was singing along it sounded like she was trying to sing along with me.  I love these moments with Joy.  You know she is happy and excited because those hiccups came.  The best thing that happened to me since I got married was being a Mom.  I would not trade anything for her.  Joy is doing what her name is, she has brought joy to our life.

Anna

Sugar

The hardest obstacle for me in this weight loss is sugar.  I have such a sweet tooth.  When I make coffee I have to have sugar but I have been using sweetener but I know they are not that good for you either.  So I try to avoid having coffee too often.  Using the flavored coffee helps.  Most of them are 5 calories and 1g of carbohydrates.  So I am able to get away with not adding sugar.


Another way is I try to go for fruit instead of chocolate bars and other candy or cake.  As long as I have fruit in the house it helps.  When I am out that is where I mess up.  I will end up getting a chocolate bar.  The good thing is that I have been staying away from pop, and when I do have that urge I will have a diet pop.  Maybe I should try that nestle carbonated water as a substitute.


Gotta run! Joy is awake.


Anna