Happy Day!!!! Welcome Taylor Jane !!!!

Well, it has been quite sometime since I have written.  There has been lots to write about but, just kept putting it off.

Firstly, our family has a new addition.  My sister in law Deb gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Taylor Jane, on August 5th.  I am so happy for Ryan, Deb and Rylen and their new addition.  She was 7lb 8 ounces and I am so excited to have a new niece.  Cannot wait to meet her for the first time.

My nephew Elias turned 7 years old today.  Happy Birthday Elias!!!!!  Hard to believe that much time has gone by.  Seems just like yesterday he was just a baby.  Proud to be his uncle and look forward to watching him continue to grow.

A very happy birthday today to my mother in law Karen.  Wish I could be there to celebrate with you.  Could not ask for a better mother in law.  Thanks for being you.

Jodi just got back last Thursday from a two week trip out east to visit Bernie and Karen in Souris, PEI.  They have a cottage there and I know she had an amazing time.  I wish I could have been there with them but, I decided to stay home to work this time around.  Whatever I end up doing next year,  I want to make the trip to the island.  Work is work but, it is important to be able to make good memories with family and friends as well.

I had a pretty good two weeks by myself.  Of course I had Ollie to keep me company but, it felt as if part of me was missing.  Jodi is a huge part of who I am as a person and I really missed her.  There are so many things I would not have at this point in my life without Jodi.  She has helped push me to become a better person and to continue to fight through the struggles I face at times.  I was proud of myself for getting through the two weeks and maintaining mental stability for the most part.  I had the downzies on the one Sunday and had a difficult time getting through that day.  I was not quite to the point of suicidal thoughts but, I was very low.  There was definitely some negative self talk and my mind was racing quite a bit.  I made it through though and had an awesome day on the holiday Monday.  I think part of it was simply being lonely.  Nobody was around that weekend and I let my mood slip without really reaching out to anyone.

I had a really good day today.  I was feeling a little off last night and asked Jodi if she thought I would have a good day today.  She responded by asking me a question. Do you want to have a good day? I said yes and that seemed to do the trick.  It is amazing how such a simple question could have such a big impact on my day.

Jodi's birthday is on Wednesday and I have a great idea for a gift.  Just need to find time to get where I need to go for it.  Looking forward to celebrating together.

Pruning season is almost done which I am thankful for.  Do not get me wrong as I love pruning.  It just has been hard on my left bicep which I tore in the winter.  It has never been the same since and holding a motorized pruner a lot definitely impacts it.  I am looking forward to cutting some grass again at some point.  I love cutting grass and that also usually means I get to hang out with Jesse.  Have missed working with him.

It is hard to believe that September is almost upon us.  Almost time for the NFL to return which is very exciting.  Have to brush up on my fantasy skills as I had a tough year last season.

Anyway, off to bed.  Gotta keep that routine going.  Have a great week.  Take care,  Shawn.

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson