Kim received an autism diagnosis today from a registered psychologist here in Lethbridge. This builds on the ADHD diagnosis he received back in 2018. It definitely explains a lot.
New diagnosis: NDPH
Kim was diagnosed with New Daily Persistent Headache today. He’s been dealing with a headache every day since March 2023. He has had multiple tests since then and finally had an appointment with a neurologist in Calgary today, who diagnosed him. Unfortuantely, there is no cure. Sometimes it goes away, but a lot of the time, it just continues through the person’s life.
Fortunately, it’s not too severe most of the time.
Our first college graduate!
Sinéad convocated today. They had been taking the child and youth care programme at Lethbridge College, and they finally finished their coursework last month. Sinéad is our first child to graduate from postsecondary school. I graduated from Lethbridge College in 2001, so this made it extra special to me today. Oh, and they graduated with honours!
Sinéad’s partner, Fay, also convocated today!
A published poet
Last year, Kim had submitted 9 poems to be included in an anthology. He heard back today from the editors, who told him that 8 of them had been accepted.
The anthology will be called CHERISH Volume 2: 365 thoughts on Heavenly Mother, and publishing is planned for this spring.
Two more drivers
Ash and Ace both took their learner’s test today, and the both passed. Now, we have four children who have their learner’s license. These two are pretty excited about getting some driving practice in.
First day of school
Today was the end of an era.
For the first time in 20 years, we don’t have any children homeschooling. Ace entered grade 9 at LCI today, graduating from middle school at Gilbert Paterson. Quillan started grade 6 at Gilbert today, and he got on the wrong bus on the way home; Ace got on the wrong bus in grade 6, too, so it may now be a family tradition. Siobhán starts grade 3 at Fleetwood Bawden tomorrow.
Mary also teaches her first class tomorrow of the semester and will attend her first class of her PhD coursework on Friday. Regan is in university in Winnipeg, and Sinéad starts their final year at Lethbridge College. Ash and Kim are the only ones not in school this year.
Our first wedding
Okay, technically, it’s not our first wedding, but it is the first wedding of our children. Today, Sinéad married Fay Blackmore, and now our family is 9!
Ash and Ace were attendants, Quillan was the ring bearer, and Siobhán was the flower girl. Regan and his girlfriend, Cherice, were able to fly out from Winnipeg, and Kim’s parents drive out from Vancouver.
See more photos here.
Siobhán’s baptism
Our last child was baptized today. Everyone was out for Sinéad and Fay’s wedding, so we had everyone together for the baptism, even our children who don’t attend church anymore. It was so nice to have all our children together for this special day. They didn’t all attend at Quillan’s baptism.
Kim baptized and confirmed Siobhán. His dad and Regan also helped with the confirmation. Ace and Ash acted as witnesses. Kim’s mum did one of the talks and Cherice, Regan’s girlfriend, did the other. Mary conducted the music, and Quillan did one of the prayers.
This was the first time Kim has baptized one of our children since Regan was baptized.
Ace’s Grade 8 farewell
Ace had their Grade 8 farewell today. Mary and I attended, and Sinéad joined us. Sinéad actually did their Lethbridge College practicum at Ace’s school this past spring. Ace will be attending Grade 9 at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in September. Quillan will be attending Gilbert Paterson Middle School for Grade 6 in September. So, Ace will be filling the absence left at LCI with Ash’s grade, and Quillan will be filling Ace’s absence at Gilbert.
Ash graduated from high school
Lethbridge Collegiate Institute held their Grade 12 convocation today. All of us were able to attend Ash’s grad.
