Some Mari stuff

The older two were sick again last night. Every time I had to go in to take care of one of the pukey kids, Mari would wake up and expect to eat. So I did not get a heck of a lot of sleep last night. I am hoping that is the end of the sickness.

I took this little video of Mari last night. I have to warn you - she doesn't "do" a lot. So unless you are close family or have a very high tolerance for dorky Mommy voices then don't feel obliged to watch it!

She is growing so fast - I can't believe it really. She tried to walk over to me the other day - well, her Daddy held her just above the ground and dragged her feet on the ground over to Mommy - does that count?

Christmas bliss

We have had an eventful few days. As have most of you. We are tired - well Mommy is VERY tired and the others also.

On the morning of the 24th - we finally put up and decorated our tree. Yeah for us! The kids have been messing with it since and I am so glad I didn't put it up sooner - I would likely have tied them to the chair with garland by now if I had.

We had the McKenzie family and our neighbor over on Christmas eve. Cadence and my kids had a blast. The two little ones behave pretty well too. My kids find Cadence so funny - there is always a lot of giggling.

We told Gavin and Bronwyn they could open one present Christmas eve. So about an hour into our visit with Scott, Mel and company Gavin asked them if they were ready to leave. I could have choked the little...

Christmas morning was fun - the kids really enjoyed it. Mari got what she wanted - a bust in the face (as my mother always says). We spent the day at Mom and Dad's with Jon & Cindy and family and the kids played like maniacs. I have philosophical issues with the gluttony of toys that the kids get and how we celebrate special events - but it was not too bad this year and the kids were pretty respectful and grateful.

We stayed over at Mom and Dad's Christmas night and last night. It was a nice change for us. The kids love staying over at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Boxing day, the day I usually like to take down our tree, we went with my folks to Joan's. Erin and Drew and of course, the new celeb - Sam, are home so we went to visit them. We got there a bit before everyone else and had a nice visit. The Reid and Lewis families arrived as well as some other friends of Joan's and the party was just starting to get into full visit mode - when Gavin threw up EVERYWHERE!

I was totally not expecting it, he was acting tired and lethargic, as was Bronwyn. But I figure it was because of several late nights and lots of rich food etc. But no, he was apparently sick. When he started to throw up I thought - Can I get this cleaned up without any one noticing? And then he bubbled up again and I thought - No, we are past that point! The good news was that I didn't get the brunt of it. My Mom was holding him - so she was the one who took the worst hit.

We got back to their house and then Bronwyn started throwing up. I have to admit I always worry more about her when she gets sick - so this got my anxiety levels up a bit.

It was a "pukey" evening, but both kids slept well and are doing fairly good today. Right now Gavin is arguing with his Dad about going to bed. He is yelling - I am the boss of my pajamas!" Well if you are going to be a boss - may as well be the boss of pajamas.

Hopefully everyone sleeps well tonight. I need energy because tomorrow the tree comes down.

Merry Christmas

Once again (yes, I am a slacker) I am not sending cards but rather just posting our Christmas greeting here. In fact, this likely reaches more people than I would if I did cards.

May God Bless you all this Christmas and give you great joy in the upcoming year.

We love our friends and family and having you share in our life is such a great joy for us. Thank you for your friendship and love.

My husband is an old man

So Wes turned 40 yesterday. We had a lovely day. My folks had us for a very nice prime rib dinner. Wes was spoiled by family and 40 sure doesn't seem as old as it used to!

I want to say something rather mushy about my husband - which is OK because he never reads the blog unless I force him. When we were in Edmonton waiting to have Bronwyn, Wes asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told him I just wanted the new Dixie Chicks CD.

I listened to this CD as I drove back and forth to the hospital visiting Bronwyn. When I hear those songs now I have almost an emotional reaction. I have a memory of a warm clear late August day as I drove across the low level bridge anxious about how Bronwyn would be doing that day. It is quite amazing how music brings the whole feeling back again.

Back to my point - there is a song on this CD - Easy Silence. At the time I felt like it described Wes and his role in my life to a T. I still feel the same way even now.

The chorus goes:

I come to find a refuge in the easy silence that you make for me. It's OK when there's nothing more to say to me. And the peaceful quiet you create for me. And the way you keep the world at bay for me.

Wes is quiet, I mean really quiet. But he is steady, really steady. This is likely why I married him. He is everything I am not. I can rely on him to do what he needs to do, to shoulder the weight of the family and to calm me down when needed. He rarely gets ruffled and even more rarely looses his temper.

He laughs big and loud - which surprises people! He enjoys his kids and finds immense joy in watching them.

God has blessed my life so richly through Wes - even if he is now 40!

Gavin on sharing

This is what I overheard earlier this evening.

Gavin - Bronwyn, that is not how you share. You don't just grab what you want.

Bronwyn - Oh.

Gavin - You have to ask for what you want and then I say no.

Bronwyn - Ganna (Gavin) ma have dis?

Gavin - No.

Busy busy

We have been busy - isn't everyone right now? Tis the season as they say.

Here are a few pictures. I'll make this short tonight - its late.

Hope you are all having a nice Christmas season. If you are like me and abhore shopping at the best of times, hopefully you are also doing most of your shopping on line.

Snowy day

The kids and I were going to go to Mom and Dad's after church for lunch, as usual. But... when we arrived home to drop Wes (who was going to stay home and work in the basement) I couldn't get our van up the ever so slight incline on our street. It had started snowing more seriously while we were at church and the roads got much worse. Since I couldn't move anywhere I decided that staying home was the best option.

Wes is out right now with Gavin helping Natasha and Max build a snow man. Yup it is actually snowman worthy snow - odd for Calgary - so we try to enjoy it when we can.

I am snug in side listening to Mari cry - yes I know Mari, I'll feed you right away.

We went out last night to Joan's in Airdrie for the festival of lights. They had fireworks which the kids loved. We also had a little train ride and hot chocolate. So a very nice night in all. Gavin said it was just like an adventure.

On Friday I had a very good laugh. Bronwyn was playing beside me while I was checking emails etc on the computer. She had a pencil and I heard her say in a stern voice. "Hey, hey - you time out." And she stuck the pencil by the corner of the desk. Ha. I found that funny.

Oh, hey the snow man is almost as tall as Wes. Good work gang!!

Not to tired to rant

This isn't an appropriate venue for this but I just watched the news again - heck! I am so cranked with our politicians in Ottawa. Really - to think that while I worry about how I am going to feed my family as the economy falters they are pushing and playing power games. Of all the idiotic fatheaded... seriously, this is truly annoying!

Too tired

I had a bunch of cute little stories from this past weekend I wanted to share - but I am too tired. Sorry. I was feeling quite sick most of last week and am only now starting to feel better. We have had a lot going on in our world too - which has been very draining.

So here are some photos.