Purpose

I often struggle with finding a sense of purpose in my life. I struggle with seeing value in what I do and having that value acknowledged. I guess I struggle with feeling important.

This weekend I thought a lot about this need in me. And I wondered, did Abraham or Moses ever feel like they need to find their purpose, their God given talents, their full potential. From what I can see they didn't. They lived their life, did as God commanded and made a few mistakes on the way. Could it be that simple?

Maybe, I need to just live my life and do what God puts in front of me. As my parents often remind me, I have three little lives (four if you include my good husband) that rely on me. It might not be as glamorous as I'd like, but maybe its more important than I can imagine.

I don't think my job is to play with my kids or make their world happy and trouble free. Rather to teach them to know and revere God. OOOH. Big job that.

So maybe its not about finding my way, but showing God's way.

(I promise I'll post pictures soon)

Life seems busy

Gavin had a few days off school. It was so nice to have a break. At the beginning of the break we had no plans - none! Yet we were so busy. We saw so many people and had such a lovely time off. I love it when a non-plan comes together.

Just a quick update to let you all know we are fine and well and busy.

Happy valentine's day

Four years ago today, we gave Bronwyn's surgeon a valentine. He had just 24 hours earlier completed her second surgery, the Glenn. We felt it only appropriate that he receive Bronwyn's first valentine card. I can't get through valentine's day now without remembering this and remembering Dr. Rebeyka. He will forever hold a special place in all of our hearts.

Happy valentine's day to all of you who have touched our hearts.

More technical difficulties

I have a ton of things to organize and do today. We've had some technical issues with our computer and not so technical issues with the kids. Bronwyn had the flu the other night. She is thankfully on the mend. Last night Mari had a coughing fit that could only be resolved by holding her upright for a half hour or so. Gavin had a series of bad dreams that necessitated screaming at his parents every time his eyes fluttered open.

So I'm tired. Good news is we got a new computer and Dad spent a good deal of time helping us get operational. The one downside is that I haven't been able to retrieve my email addresses. So I have nothing.

If you know me, and want to be in contact via email, or if you think I may want to contact you via email (when in doubt presume I do) please email me. If you don't have my email address leave a comment and I'll make sure you get it.

PLEASE!!!

Thanks.

Different types of technology

After school the kids and I were in the front yard making a snowman. It is the first time this year the snow has been sticky enough for us to make one. Dratted Calgary and its dry dry weather. We were almost done when an oldish transamy type car (I don't know my cars so I have no real clue what it was) pulled up and a young man in a toque jumped out. It wasn't alarming as I was expecting a visit from a computer tech. I didn't expect him to be 19, but I guess this is how these things go. He was not Canadian born (this matters in this story).

I showed him in to the dreaded dead machine. He looked at it and said, "Wow, this is old." I said, "Not that old, we got it just after my son was born, he's only 6. I have bed sheets that are twice as old as that!" After much inspection he announced that the mother-board was "toasted." I suppose that is tech speak for not working and not likely to work ever again.

As I saw him to the door and asked him to say good-bye to our snowman. He said, "I've never made one, how do you make one?" I didn't understand him at first, it was such a strange concept he was sharing with me. Finally, in my sock feet I went out to the sidewalk and made a snowball and started rolling it to show him how it sticks. I explained that it had to be the "right" kind of snow.

So, I gave him a lesson in making a snowman and I didn't even charge him!

Technical difficulties... sort of

I am having technical difficulties uploading my little video clip from the video camera to any of the computers in our house!! Grrrrr.

I have also been having technical difficulties with the kids. Two out of the three have been sick since last Thursday. Minus a couple of outings that we couldn't avoid we have been pretty much stuck in side. And its yucky outside, so taking the kids out is difficult even without the sickness factor.

They have today to get better and that is it! I'm done.

Its not that I'm unsympathetic, I'm OK with really sick kids. Its the sort of sick kid that drives me bonkers! So here is to better weather, they say it is coming, and healthier kids. Next step the garlic! I have horrible childhood memories of my mother making us drink garlic laced orange juice. Apparently the orange juice was supposed to mask the chunks of fresh garlic floating in it. Ah, no!

At the time I thought she was CRAZY. Well, in fact, I still do think my Mom is crazy, but for other reasons. I now understand the frustration of sick kiddos. You get to a point where you will do almost anything to get them back up to steam and out of your hair! Yesterday Mari emptied a full kleenex box. Not blowing her nose, I guess just pulling them out so she could have them handy - who knows?

Oh well. They all seem to be a bit better today, well Mari and Gavin are, Bronwyn didn't get it. She rarely gets sick, strange but darn lucky!

World's best husband

I'll forgive you if you disagree and think your husband is the best!

So I do take pictures

I just don't download them. Who knew??

The weather has warmed up a bit. In fact, today is lovely. We went for a walk and play in the park and Daddy has taken the older two to the library and skating, while Mari naps. Our house is a disaster! There are toys everywhere. I should be cleaning, but here I sit with my feet up, taking a moment to relax! Woohooo.

Gavin is getting so big. He lost another tooth this week, can't believe how much he has grown! He is doing better with school. Big sigh of relief from Mom.

Bronwyn is doing great. She loves her school and chatters non-stop at home, not that any one else believes me.

Mari is full of beans! Crazy busy. She plays with her meme (baby). She loves her meme. She also loves bahpah (Grandpa). We have to call Grandpa pretty regularly so she can "talk" to him. A lot of hi! hi! and running from mom as I try to grab the phone.

Spring doesn't feel so far away when the day is sunny and lovely like today. I'm soaking it up for now.

I don't take pictures

Not sure why I haven't been taking pictures lately. Too busy? Too lazy? Too cold? Not sure, just no pictures.

We have been busy with our school routine. This is the blase, yucky time of year for me. Cold and dark. We are just trudging through it knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are holding out for lighter and warmer days.

Memories

I took Gavin to school today. Wes stayed home with the girls so I could register Bronwyn for kindergarten.

This time five years ago we were just pregnant, not sure we were even telling people yet. We certainly didn't know about her heart problem yet. It has been a long and in many ways exciting journey. Imagine, our wee girl will be in kindergarten soon. Exciting time are still looming!

Back at 'em

So we are back into the swing of things. Tomorrow Gavin will be off for his third day back, while Bronwyn will be back for her first. Dance started up tonight. Gavin's piano will also start next week. So slowly we are getting back into the swing.

I have been tired, but it does feel fairly good to get back to a routine. I LOVED our time off, but well, this is now and I may as well be as happy as I can with it!

January is shaping up to be a busy month, but not crazy busy like December, just nice steady busy. I am determined to make some time for myself. We'll see how I do. I had big plans for September but that was pretty seriously derailed by Mari's inconsistent nap times. Here is another kick at the old can.

I am happy though. Life isn't always easy, but it is always full of joy. I don't like getting up at the crack of dawn (7:00am), but I love sitting down with my girls for a relaxed breakfast after delivering Gavin. I don't like the hassle of running the kids to all their various events, but I love seeing how much they love and respond to these fun activities. Life is, as always, a two sided coin. For today, I am choosing to see the lovely polished shiny side. Tomorrow may be a different story. But, even when I chose to see the ugly side, the lovely side is still there, I have just forgotten to look for it.

I am sure that 2011 will bring the Davis house much laughter, joy, tears, anxiety, drama, wood (there is always wood coming in and out of this house), love, ahhh, mostly love!

God bless you all in 2011, may you feel the warmth of God's love.

Winter fun

We have been enjoying the time off from school. We are trying to pack in as much fun as we can, while still kicking back and relaxing as much as we can too.

It has been mostly warm, today is cold though. Too cold to go too far.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful and safe new years eve.

Gift giving

I always feel fairly introspective after Christmas. I guess all the dust settles and I have time to think.

Every year I struggle with the huge number of gifts that our kids get. I bought small things this year, we have such a small house, the size of a lot of toys just plain scares me.

This year as I was cleaning up the wrap and all the extra packaging I reflected on how I am often more excited about them opening their gifts than they are. It makes me so happy to know that someone I gave a gift to really enjoyed it. I truly enjoy the process of giving gifts. I was awake many times the night before Christmas, just excited about all the fun the kids were going to have.

Do we have to much stuff, yes! Do our kids get spoiled, yes! But...

Maybe they have to learn the joy of receiving a gift. To truly enjoy a gift you have been given. To be excited and joyous. I realized that maybe that is the first step in the process of learning that giving is better than receiving.

It is the same with grace. It is something you have to learn to receive, not earn. Once you fully understand grace you can understand how to give it. The joy of it!

Family Christmas card 2010

Merry Merry Christmas to all our friends and family. I promise I'm not nearly as stressed and uptight as I look in this picture!

Please drop a comment and let us know how you are doing. We'd love to hear from you all.

God's blessings on your house in 2011.

The tree is up

I will post pictures later, maybe when Mari naps. But for now, just feel secure in knowing that the tree is up at the Davis house. I threw out about 6 balls that didn't manage to make it through the "consumer toughness" testing that my kids decided to put them through.

There are even wrapped presents under the tree, I may be horrible about getting the tree up early, but I am no slacker when it comes to presents and wrapping. I saved one gift for each of the kids so the other kids could help me wrap it up. So we did that too.

Here's to hoping the tree is still standing by Christmas.

Tomorrow is our big Daddy's (Wes's) birthday. Bronwyn asked me recently why adults don't have birthday cakes. That is what I told her on my birthday, I'm not making a cake for myself! I assured her that we could make a cake for Daddy. Maybe I should decorate it with toy story stuff or dinosaurs. Oh no, I know, I'll get a model house and pull some of it apart so it can look like its being renovated! That's it!

I best go get these starving tree decorators some lunch. They have worked up a real appetite.

We are here

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, it has been busy. I truly think time speeds up as we get closer to Christmas. The mother of all deadlines.

We are well and good. The kids had their last day of school today and they are counting the days till the big day. I have to admit I'm pretty excited too. Looking forward to all the festivities.

Christmas really is more exciting with kids. I used to think when I was a kid that it was so exciting that I couldn't stand it. But, little did I know that my parents were probably more excited. I think the planning and knowledge of whats to come, and the expected excitement of the kids makes it truly great. That is why people love Christmas. On that note, we hope to get a tree this weekend. We'll see how it goes.

I am looking forward to a lazy week next week. I have a few kids to contact for play time with Gavin over the holiday. But, I kind of hope he gets good and BORED. Maybe he'll be happy to go back to school.

As Wes and I plan and scheme for the future I am often reminded just how truly blessed we are. Our riches are great and our world very wide. I am thankful for all of this.

Now, next project is to get a family shot for our blog Christmas card. Wish me luck!

Getting in the spirit

This was a sort of Christmas kick off weekend for us.

Friday we watched our littlest neighbor for an hour or so. We did cookies and decorating. I put the icing in baggies with a tiny hole for it to squeeze out; thinking this would make it less messy. At one point I caught Mari with the bag in her mouth squirting icing straight in her mouth. Apparently that was more efficient than squirting icing on the cookies and then licking it off the cookie.

Saturday evening we trekked out to Airdrie. Taking in the festival of lights along with the warm and gracious hospitality of Grandma Joan has become a bit of a family tradition. She treated us to a super yummy meal (and healthy if I'm not mistaken) and then we bundled up and made our way to the park. There were fire works, a little train (a dressed up golf cart thing - but the kids don't care), hot chocolate and lots of great lights.

On the way back to Joan's, Gavin exclaimed, "I loved ALL of it!" It was a warm and fuzzy evening. I know this will be a warm memory for the kids.

Sunday, Grandma and Grandpa came with us to Oak Park and then back to our house for lunch. I had planned on taking advantage of the extra hands and having Grandpa take our family photo. I had dressed everyone in somewhat matching clothes before church and had big visions of getting the job done. On the way home from church Mari fell asleep. Just as she was waking up, Bronwyn, who wasn't feeling well, fell asleep. So... no picture. At least we all looked good. Heck, I even put on make up!

After my folks left we made some salt dough decorations for Grandma and Grandpa. It involved, rolling, stamping out shapes, cooking, cleaning (Mom), setting out paints (Mom), painting, cleaning (Mom), setting out sparkle glue (Mom), liberally applying sparkles to anything that didn't move fast enough, cleaning (Mom).. bath to remove all traces of sparkles from three little kids, (Dad supervised). And this is why I am not a crafty mom!! Keep moving people it wasn't pretty.

Monday we went to Langdon to help Grandma put up her Christmas tree. Or if you are Gavin, we went to force our Grandfather to play Wii.

See - could we have been more festive. I am so exhausted by it all that I think I'm done. We have done our bit. Unfortunately the kids are now asking "When can we have a tree?" In fact, Gavin asked me, "Mom why do we have to wait until the day before Christmas to put our tree up?" Making it sound as though we have been barred from early access to Christmas trees. One day son, you will understand.

Oh, and for the record we don't have a single decoration up yet. Not one. Just ask my mom what Mari does to them and you'll know why!

Fun Friday

Gavin is home today and Monday. Bronwyn has school both days, although I may have her skip Monday so we can "do" something together.

They are all happily playing for now. I wonder when that will end. I found some pictures on my camera. I haven't been taking very many these days. We just seem to be busy all the time.

With the older two busy with their schools and activities, Mari and I spend quite a lot of time together. She is so cute when she plays. I love watching her. Bronwyn would play "pretend" some but not like Mari. She is more about her imaginary friends and chatter chatter chatter. Mari, plays with her dollies, talks to them, feeds them. I love it.

She really doesn't talk much yet, but she still gets her point across. Life with Mari is one big game of charades.

Bronwyn is well, she has been tired this week and I have been a bit concerned about her, but she seems OK.

We had Gavin's parent teacher interviews last night. It was great. He has such a lovely teacher, I really like her. The only issue we have is with getting him to school. He is a good student and cooperative in class.

Deep Freeze

I haven't been blogging because, my fingers were frozen? No, I just haven't had the time, but here I am lucky world!! Back for another short report on our goings on.

This week has been a bit of a shake up in the Davis house. Wes has been taking Gavin to school. After a rather bad end to last week, Mommy is done trying to convince, cajole and force her oldest to go to school. Its Daddy's job now. He can do it for a while. After all, if Gavin refuses to go in what is Daddy going to do, take him to work?

So, the girls are enjoying the mornings of sleeping in and not braving bitter cold. Its a bit of a relief for me too, less conflict in my world is a good thing.

Today I was the volunteer for the morning at Gavin's school. It was fun. I discovered what a weird bunch of pickles grade oners are! Ha, its not just my kid - they are all like that!

Bronwyn had dance yesterday. Nearing the end of class I could tell that she had to go to the bathroom. There was only a minute left, so I just took her out. When she was done, I tried to get her to put her winter stuff on. She FREAKED out. She kept crying, "All I want to do is dance with the girls." I thought she'd understand that class was just about over, but no. All I can say is that I sure learned my lesson!

What has Mari been up to? Sheesh - got an hour! Lets just say she is a mischief and a goof ball.

I haven't been taking pictures. I'll try to get some in the next little while and post something worth looking at.

It has arrived...

So my prediction that this is the year that we finally evade winter is, well, wrong! Winter landed last night. Unfortunately and in typical Calgary style it came suddenly. So there was rain, freezing rain, slush and then snow.

How do I know this? Since it happened in the night? Well, I can tell by the layers that I shovelled this morning. By the way shovelling is man's work!

Luckily I didn't have to use the van until this afternoon and there was time to figure out how to get the van doors open. They were frozen shut.

This morning, I had to break in to get Gavin's car seat so he could go to school with the neighbors. The only door that would open was the driver side. So I got in and crawled over the front seat to the back. As I did this my butt touched the visor and I got stuck in the rear by the poppy I had tucked up there (so it wouldn't POKE ANY ONE).

So winter has arrived. Today is our busy day. So I get to do all our running around in the snow. Yeah!