Special thanks to all our friends and family for sending cards, flowers, meals, emails, phone calls and visits.  We've had a rough go of things but finally 2 1/2 wks ago they came to a head with a visit to emerg.  Over the last 10 months I've lost over 80 lbs without trying, had extreme bouts of pain, no appetite, which recently turned into vomiting.  As we looked back into my medical records, lack of appetite and pain have been a constant complaint for almost 2 yrs... meds for the Crohn's were changed and I carried on with working, being a mom and preparing to move to NOLA to become Mark's wife.

There is a narrowing in my intestine, very close to where all the pain has been so Crohn's seemed the reasonable answer, although over the months I have been feeling better and better in that department.... my gut began telling me this was something else.

Didn't take long at all after arriving at emerg to have a CAT scan and MRI and ultrasound, confirming not the Crohn's at all this time, but rather an inflamed pancreas and a dark mass on my liver.  Also I was diagnosed with severe malnutrition, which was their first major concern.  The malnutrition caused the muscles in my body to go into spasms and painfully shake... leaving them weak and so immobile couldn't even feed myself for days.  Mark spent three days and two nights at the hospital and our friend Jill relieved him two additional days so he could work.

After 9 days, I was released (much to the shock of everyone but the one doctor who sent me home) but we've managed.  The hospital sent us home bags of medical supplies and a walker.  Mary found us wedge pillows and devices so I could use the toilet (small pleasures of life).  

Although my right leg remains extremely painful and other muscles weak, I am coming along.  My diet remains fairly bland as Crohn's diet and pancreas are at opposite ends of the spectrum.  Our only regret is I was sent home before receiving physical therapy and training from a dietitian.  Thankfully my mom and Mark are doing as much research as possible via the Internet.

My amazing friend Rose Brubacher from Ontario happened to be in Texas when I got sick and came for 3 days to help Mark out.... love you Rose!

To clarify some of the rumors going around... yes, I do require a walker at this point.... wheelchair bound, I am not (although would use one if long distance or much standing required).  No we are not financially destitute.  Of course I have been unable to work at my part-time job but God does provide.  As far as hospital bills.... there has not been one, and will not be any.  We went to University Hospital which is a teaching hospital and state funded, with amazing care.  They have approved us for 6 months FREE care at which time both Medicare and Medicaid should have kicked in.  All my meds have been available in generic form, which means $4.00 each at Walmart.  Today I will see our family doctor for some follow up but the appt itself will be $43. plus blood tests (which last time were under $20).  (ed note: a few weeks back we had decided to see a GI speciallist on the advice of our GP, Dr. Newmann. It too one call, two weeks and we were meeting with him. It took 18 months for Barb to see a GI specialist in Canada.)

Previous to going to the hospital, I admit, I was terrified from all I'd heard in the Canadian media about costs in US.  Since living here we have found none of them to be true for us personally.  Our kids have free medical, dental, breakfast and lunches until 18 yrs old and Mark and I will qualify for Medicaid/Medicare.  Tests NEVER received in Canada, or on waiting lists for 6+ months were preformed within hours of my arrival at hospital and many were repeated numerous times to compare results.  We have nothing but praise and thanksgiving for the American medical field.

In the beginning a biopsy of my liver was a must, but as the days went on, tests began showing the mass getting lighter and lighter, until barely a shadow.  At this point doctors have agreed to continue monitoring.  When I questioned how this was possible, he smiled and said I am only a doctor, you are a woman of strong faith... you tell me!!  Meanwhile we continue to pray for total healing.

At this point we try to expand my menu a bit more each day without sending my pancreas into spasms (which is not such an easy task) or flare up the Crohn's... it is a balancing act, but if it means me being my ol' healthy, energetic self, I will do whatever it takes.  The pain has decreased hugely, although when there are bouts, my first reaction is not to eat... something I have to fight through.

Otherwise, life is good.  I'm happier than ever before.  Our house is full of laughter as the kids friends come and go.  On Monday they officially began summer vacation, and although Luke is home schooled and will still be doing 'lessons' throughout the summer, he is having a lighter program for now.  Rach, somehow is already a senior and will be looking into colleges in the fall.... big choice is to remain here or return to Ontario.  Luke still remains focused on the US Army and anything ministry related.

Our winter was filled with northern visitors back to back from January until end of April, with Rose popping in this past week.  Since Rach and Luke are going to be in Canada June 14 to July 15, Mark has declared the 'Chateau Chauvin' CLOSED until after the kids return!!!! lol   Our hope is that I will be able to return 'home' for the first wk of October... by then it will be a year and half and I will be in much need for Canadian food!!  Do you know today is ONE YEAR since we arrived in New Orleans?!?!?!  Temperatures in the humid 80's and the hydrangea bushes in full bloom are reminders of that glorious day I finally felt I'd 'come home'.  

Amy was down end of April, surprising kids for a week.  It was awesome to see her again.  Her summer is being spent working in Fort Erie and then she and Emily (Kim's daughter) will be sharing an apartment during her 2nd year of university.  Soooo excited for them!!!

Mark is doing well... he is a gem of a husband and I love him more each day.  Although he was scared watching me waste away to nothing, once doctors found out the cause he was relieved and felt even more confident I would be healed.  Never in my wildest dreams did I understand how awesome it would be to have a husband who is a true protector, provider and prayer warrior but I wouldn't change a thing about this man (ed note: never mind, I'll keep my mouth shut).

Once again we want to thank everyone for their love and support.  Enjoy all you updates.

Lovingly,
Barb, Mark and kids

During this our first, American holiday season, I’d like to take time to send an updated newsletter.  It is now over 6 months since we moved south.  We’re so settled that in many ways it feels much longer since we made the long trek. 

The kids are settled into school and have made a number of new friends.  They’ve returned to classes this week after a week long Thanksgiving holiday.  Before we know it, Christmas break (2 ½ wks off school) will be upon us. 

We’re counting the days until Amy arrives on December 22.  Seems like forever since we last saw her and even then, with the wedding we saw very little of her.  This time will be a much slower pace, filled with family time.  Amy is completing her first semester at the University of Guelph in Toronto.  We are so proud of her!

When Mark is not busy at the church, you’ll find him cleaning the pool, putting up lights, organizing the garage… now that he is 60lbs lighter he has lots more energy.  He is looking forward to Christmas in our own house, and with 4 decorated trees, it is a real treat.

I’m working full-time as the Custom Decorator at JC Penney’s in the Oakwood Mall (10 min from the house).  In early November I began intense training and today received my last assignment until January when I’ll be going to Northern California to finish off my training.  In the meantime I’ll be doing ride-alongs with decorators and installers in Baton Rouge, as well as running my own clients.  Although it is straight commission after the training period, I’m up for the challenge!  In today’s market it isn’t often you have such amazing employers but Mark and I have both been blessed in that department.

The weather is like a roller coaster here… one day it can be in the high 70’s or low 80’s and a few days later barely reaching 50 degrees, with nighttime temps in the low 30’s (zero for you who are strictly metric).  I do love the sunny blue skies that dominate most days.  One good thing about the lower temperatures (anything below 75ish) is there are no bugs and no geckos… still cockroaches but Mark sprays and keeps them at bay!

I put a fall wreath on our door (many of you have a similar one from our sale)… the berries are no longer since the geckos and lizards ate them all, and the leaves are falling off from the hot glue melting in the heat from the late afternoon sun.  The things I didn’t think about until living here.

Slowly I’m becoming adjusted to the foods that are available and where to find specialty items… like my recent discovery of Canada Dry Gingerale by the case few weeks ago.  You would have thought I’d won the lottery!!! LOL  The kids are adjusting very quickly to southern foods and Luke seems to enjoy most of them… Rach and I still can’t do the red beans and rice.  We now make corn bread stuffing as a staple and have served sweet potato casserole.  A new family favorite is mirliton … it is a type of squash, yet different. Some call a vegetable pear or chayote. They are often filled with seafood stuffing, but we make on the bbq with a variety of other veggies.  For those who come to visit from the north, if you want shrimp, we’ve got shrimp… or should I say mini-lobsters!  Some were approx 8” after the heads were removed and the cost… $4.50 / lb.  Mark puts them on skewers on the bbq with garlic- butter, served over lemon rice.  Reservations at the Chauvin Château are underway!!! LOL

Speaking of Chauvin Chateau, we are looking forward to Dick and Marilyn (Barb’s folks) visiting in Feb/March; Kim and Laura end of March and Anne and Danny Bruce in April.  Who’s booking in next???

From our home to yours, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas season.

Love from Mark, Barb, Amy, Rachel and Luke

We know everyone is awaiting updates... first we are safe!

Eight weeks to the day after our wedding we received notice that mandatory evacuation was occurring for Southern Louisiana and Mississippi.  For an entire week we were watching the news and preparing to leave.  The 'sit and wait' just about drove me around the bend! 

The is no doubt organization was executed to perfection.  On Saturday it was our turn to leave the city and head north.  Thank God Pastor Elmer (our best man) and Ms Rita (photographer) graciously opened their home to us in Camden, Arkansas.  Taking both our vehicles we headed out with our cooler full of frozen meats, suitcases and some camera / computer equipment from the church.

There is no way to convey the eerie feeling that hung over the city on Saturday.  We noticed Friday that McDonald's, Subway etc were all closed by 6pm, gas stations were lined up and supplies in grocery store were at minimum.  Saturday morning kids and I were taken back to see both store and house windows boarded up, no stores open of any kind, most gas stations out of gas by noon.  The birds were gone, even the pesty ants had disappeared.  Many locals took it in stride but the kids and I being new at this whole thing noticed even the smallest differences.  Early Saturday morning all our neighbors were outside... up and down the street was constant chatter and people packing.  In this heat, you seldom see your neighbors in the summer.

Once on the road it was a SLOW go... took us 1 1/4 hrs to go 3 miles but Mark assures me better than during Katrina.  Panic set in when after 2 hours we'd made it almost to the NOLA airport and my car engine light came on.  It was one of the hottest stinkin' days we've had down here, cars (new and old) were broke down along the road and not a dealership or gas station open.  What else do you do?  Call 1-800-DAD!  Not only does he too have a Ford 500 but the dealerships in Canada were still open.  They assured him it could be one of about 11 different problems, but most likely from the heat and idling or requires a tune up.  Talk about relief!  After 7 hrs on the road we'd gone the distance you would normally do in 2 hours and stopped for supper (first cut off that had restaurants open).  After the car cooled off and we turned it back on, the warning had gone out.  Today it is on it's way to the dealership for repair.

By Vicksburg, Mississippi it was midnight and neither one of us could see straight.  There were no hotel rooms available anywhere in the state but we decided to try anyhow... first one was full but she'd heard about a hotel that was off the beaten path that had a few rooms still empty (people hadn't yet shown up).  Thankfully we got one... although in normal times it would have been a $50-60/night room, we were glad to pay the $100.  In the morning we headed out again, arriving in Camden, Arkansas around 2:30 pm Sunday.

Like many of you, all we could do is sit and wait, glued to the TV for updates.  The blessing came when the storm took a last minute turn ... a few more miles and the west bank would be no more.  The levees held so flooding was minimal. 

News today is that Jefferson Parish is without electricity, the water is intact, hydro, traffic lights, signs and trees are all down because the power is out, there is no sewerage.  This morning they were announcing "Tier 1" can return to the city (electrical workers, emergency clean up crews).  Next will be "Tier 2" which are the gas station and grocery store owners.  "Tier 3" will be any other businesses that can assist in the reopening of the city (Walmart... but not stores like pool supplies etc).  Then they will announce when the general public can begin returning.  We have no idea when this will be, Mark is suspecting it won't be until at least Thurs or Friday until we can return. 

Although it has been quite the experience, we look forward to returning home.  Many have asked why we would want to go back?  Well, home is where you put your heart and our hearts are with Mark... Mark has been called by God to be in ministry at White Dove.  It's as easy as that. 

As far as why do so many people live in the NOLA area... well you need to thank your lucky stars they do!  Do you know the NOLA ports are the 3rd biggest in North America and brings in ALL of North Americans supply of coffee.  HELLO Canadians did you hear that?  Where would Tim Horton's be without coffee?? lol  Oh ya, now I hear the attitudes changing!! lol  Seriously though majority of things bought in North America that say 'made in China' come via here as well... where would Walmart be without NOLA?  Plus 40% of all gas and oil originate off the shores of Louisiana... thousands upon thousands of oil rigs.  When there is this kind of industry, it's normal a city would be built. 

Our concern, and it should be a concern for all in North America is the erosion of the wetlands... that can't not be fixed by the people of Louisiana alone... it is an environmental issue that affects everyone.  With global warming the Gulf waters are in the mid-80's and make them a feeding ground for hurricanes.  One thing we learned living in Canada is how to be leaders in making changes to our environment... being environmentally friendly.  We pray the US catches on and learns from Canadians how to take care of this world God has blessed us with... not take it for granted.

Going through this has been a reality check.  We have a loving family, a strong faith in God, incredible friends and the rest is just stuff... all replaceable or unnecessary.

Thank you for your prayers, emails and offers for help.  We love you and are thankful we'll be able to return home in the near future.

Barb, Mark, Rachel and Luke

Yes, we are married. We are now on our honeymoon. Soooo, we are putting up a few teasers pic.

 

Enjoy!

 Follow links to Wedding Day Photos.

 

 

 

Wow where does the time go?  In a month is the wedding (if you haven’t RSVP yet, please do so as we will be doing food prep ourselves and need numbers). 

It's been about a week since we arrived in NOLA… seems we’ve been here months.  For those of you who don’t know, we’d let our house deal drop and decided to move into Mark’s little house.  BUT, God had other plans for us.  Just before coming to Canada to get us, an amazing deal was struck with the homeowners and Mark surprised us by moving the kids and I straight into our new house!!!  We LOVE it.  The house is perfectly designed and the neighbors seem great – yesterday we were blessed with a kitchen sink full of fresh shrimp, which Mark spent the evening cleaning.

Rachel, Luke and I are adjusting to the south.  Obviously the heat is a shock to our systems.  When living in Canada I always commented how slow people move in the south… I confess and apologize… we too are moving much slower than in our past.  Dang, it’s hot!!!!  Our next eye opener was cockroaches, IN THE HOUSE.  Up ‘til movin’ here I ain’t never seen no cockroaches (see I’m learnin’ to talk like yall too!!!).  In our minds, cockroaches belonged in dirty nasty homes or apartment buildings with high numbers of immigrants.  Not sure Mark will ever hear the end of our cockroach horror!!! Lol But our mighty warrior was quick to arrive with a barrier spray and surrounded the house – now we count the DEAD roaches OUTSIDE with pleasure. (note from Mark: It was ONE roach! But she made me stay in the office until I brought out a roach carcass!)

For the little I’ve ventured out, I’m beginning to find my way around although still struggling with the ‘wacky left turns’.  Majority of the intersections in our area have no left turns so you go down the street a block until you find a u-turn location in the blvd and proceed back to the intersection and turn right (this is the legal way to turn left).  Talk about traffic jams!!  And the US banking system is sadly lacking compared to the Canadian.  At this point I’m happy dealing in cash only and skipping the debit / credit card scene.

Accents are often still an issue especially for Rach and I.  We find ourselves saying pardon a lot when the person is speaking quickly.  Gradually we’re getting use to the different sayings… we say ‘kitty-corner’; N’Orlanders say ‘kaddy- corner’.

Prices of produce and lack of variety still floor me.  Broccoli, apples, Kraft peanut butter, Golden Italian salad dressing and summer sausage are the main foods we’ll miss eating (either due to cost or availability).   Staples like large boxes of cereal, peanut butter etc is available only at Sam’s Club while we’re use to buying at all grocery stores. 

One of our other HUGE adjustments is NO recycling.  For several days we just couldn’t get it through Luke’s head that we don’t separate our garbage down here.  He was willing to stock pile and drive it north so it doesn’t fill the landfill sites (sure the northerners would welcome all NOLA recycling!!! Lol).  Anyhow he says this world is a gift from God and we need to take care of it… see Pastor Brad, he WAS listening!!

On a positive note, we are very happy here.  Miss everyone back home but life is great here.  We’re enjoying the much slower pace and the incredible love Mark showers upon us.  Kids are happy and I’m making new friends who are calling to volunteer their services either with the house or the wedding or just for a visit (thank you so much for making me feel welcome, especially Elvia – you are a gem!) … now if only we could find a plumber!!! Lol  Water was off for months in the house and once turned on, we have one leak after another.  Needless to say, Mark has been kept busy between plumbing, roaches and helping kids clean the pool. 

Since everyone keeps asking about wedding gift ideas, I will step WAY out of my comfort zone and give some ideas… this is ONLY because I would rather buy something useful for people than dream up something on my own.   As many of you know, we had to drastically reduce our belongings to fit on the 16’ trailer (yes, Ezra we did reduce!!! Lol).  Since many of our ‘big’ things were sold or given away, we need to replace them.  It’s been suggested we request Visa gift certificates in order to ‘pool’ them together to buy things like:

• A new stove (house came with one, but it’s old and testing my cooking skills by burning things on the bottom before cooking top)
• A freezer since I’m adamant about cooking healthy meals and usually cook one day for the entire month (and yes, I will be holding classes to teach those who want to learn this concept – it’s easy once you learn).
• Bbq… grill… pit (still don’t have the proper southern name for that concept)
• Furniture for our covered patio
• Chairs for our table that sits 12!!!  Can’t wait to fill it with yall.

Since we have all the basics, we’d be extremely thankful for any contribution towards these purchases.  Ok, I got past that topic and yes it was extremely uncomfortable from my end.

We’ve also come up with a few other things for our house (mostly kids suggestions) …

Kids said now that they too are Americans, we need a flag!  There is a hook thing on the front porch for one and soon we’ll get to trimming the bushes so there is room to show we’re proud to be an American!

Pool toys for teenagers – noodles, volleyball, floating raft type things etc.

The parents would like a life ring for the safety of all who use our pool.  Also we’ve been buying pool chemicals etc at the store in the plaza by TJ Max and they do have gift certificates.

Once again, a huge thank you to our Canadian packers and those who showed their support by attending the moving / shower; to Elvia … will never forget the day we pulled up to balloons and signs welcoming us home!  And Ezra for helping us unload that trailer in what must be record time.

Love to all,

Barb and Mark; Rachel and Luke

Hello Everyone!

This time I’ve asked Mark to hand over the ‘pen’ and let me have a turn to update our newsletter.

Well the weather here is finally beginning to look like spring. This morning we had a trace of snow but hopefully that will be the end of it. Noticed yesterday the daffodils and crocus were beginning to pop up and I saw my first robin – a true

First, I would like to thank all of those who made my Christmas in Canada an experience to remember the rest of my life. Matt & Christine, Mark & Liz, Dick & Marilyn, Luke, Rachel and Amy. But especially my beloved Barbara.

We had such a wonderful time. Here is a short recount some of my experiences.

The flights there were fine. I arrived in Buffalo, NY to a snowy overcast

As most of you know I am a computer/video geek. I couldn't resist (with some minor changes, of course).

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Dear Tech Support:

Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 3.0 to Wife 1.0. I soon noticed that the new program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot of space and valuable resources.

In addition, Wife 1.0 installed itself into

Well, it is getting closer to that time of the year again, Christmas. And with that, it is time to look at what is the hot item this holiday season and that is the iPod.

I was at Best Buy today, observing the interaction between the store clerk, the parent, the child, and the iPod. In almost every

As a new bride, Aunt Edna moved into the small home on her husband’s ranch. She put a shoe box on a shelf in her closet and asked her husband NEVER to touch it.

For fifty years Uncle Jack left the box alone until Aunt Edna was old and