Wow - where did that week go

You know it is crazy.

I remember when I was pregnant with Gavin I finished work about 3 weeks before my due date. Once at home I rested and prepared and went out for lunch and generally filled my days. Three weeks before I had Bronwyn I was already finished work and I was packing up house and preparing to relocate to Edmonton for as long as we had too. I was chasing after Gavin and having frequent appointments and echos.

My due date is in now in three weeks again. I still have one lingering work project that has yet to wrap up. I'm not preparing for Bronwyn's next surgery (yet - thankfully) but I still have lots of appointments. I am still chasing after Gavin - well, and Bronwyn too. Gavin has preschool and we seem to be busy all the time. Just when I think I'm going to have a quiet day at home with the kids our plans change and we end up running.

Maybe its a good thing - I haven't had time to think about the next phase I'm just too busy for the moment. I just cannot believe the time has flown so fast. Crazy stuff!

Today the kids were up pretty early, so we spontaneously decided to go to Drumheller, to the dinosaur museum there. It was Wes' idea. Gavin has been in a dinosaur phase. Really, this has been such a bummer for me. Seriously, if you want to feel like a first grader again who is trying to learn how to read and being scolded by your bag of a teacher and made to feel stupid because you are stumbling over the letters (sorry childhood baggage); then pick up a book about dinosaurs and try to pronounce the names of these beasts. For heavens sake, why couldn't they use more simple names? Why is it that all our modern animals have names like - horse, dog, cat, cow - but dinosaurs have these horrible icantpronouncesaurus names?

Gavin loved it. Although I had to explain and explain and explain why he can't just go dig bones. He is just so sure that there is somewhere in Drumheller where he can go and dig dinosaur bones. I said, he had to be with a special team and have special permission and that it was a protected area. He told me that he could go with his Daddy because he was special. I said - Yes, Dad is special but he isn't exactly a paleontologist.

We did have a couple treats this week. I got to go out - by myself - and visit with my dear friend Katherine - that was super lovely. And we also got to meet the brand new baby Kalia (Mel and Scott's new girl).

As busy as we are - we haven't lost interest all the happenings in the world that are affecting people we love. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and folks in Texas and other hurricane hit areas. We are also anxiously following the recent developments in Zimbabwe and praying for a resolution that truly helps. We also have been praying for the families who have been struggling with illness and medical problems.

I wanted to mention this because I want those we love to be assured that we think of them often and that we care deeply about your struggles.

First day of preschool

Oh my goodness, my baby is growing up. I had no idea how hard it would be for me. I am not a sentimental person. If I were doing a personality test and the choices were - a. uncomfortable with emotion, b. not overly sympathetic, c. too blunt and pragmatic, d. all the above - I'd circle D. So imagine my surprise as I was fighting back tears trying not to let my son see me almost falling apart. I wanted him to have a fun, carefree time and I didn't want him to read any anxiety in my actions. Wow! Who knew I was such a softy.

Well, he went and he enjoyed it. He was very tired after school and in fact is now flaked out on the couch - so tonight could be interesting!!

I took the kids outside before we left so I could get some first day of school picts. I had him put his backpack on, and of course Bronwyn needed hers too - even though she stayed home with Grandma today. Speaking of Mom, she has saved my bacon this week. I have been doing a fair bit of work this week and needed to go to the office several times - she has looked after the kids and been just so wonderfully supportive.

Anyhow - here are some pictures from today.

Stinking car

Well van actually, and no I'm not just mad at the vehicle. It actually does stink. I don't know why! We went to the bug house the other day (Gavin calls Chinook mall the bug house). We parked in the parkade, when we were done we returned to our vehicle, opened the doors and went - pewwh! What is that smell?

Wes accused me of leaving a dirty diaper laying about in the van - well I'd actually have to take one out there and put it in the van!! I don't change diapers in the van.

We have looked MANY times in every nook and cranny. I had Mom and Dad look in every nook and cranny too. Still nothing, no rotting apples or anything. Wes thought maybe it is a dead animal in the engine - but we can't find anything and well I hope our neighbors cat is accounted for...

I decided that some punk kids put something on our car to make it stink. Wes thinks I'm paranoid but - well it smelled fine before we got to the mall and by the time we left it stunk - coincidence?? According to my husband my thinking is as stinky as our van.

So we have a mystery, and a stinky van!

Jelly beans and things

I picked up some jelly beans last night because Bronwyn was asking for them. I had picked a few beans from our garden patch that morning and thought she was asking for those. She would walk up and say - beans beans. So I'd pull them out and she'd put her hand up to me and shake it and say - no no. Then she started saying - Daddy... beans... box. Oh, Daddy has beans in a box?? Yeah. Oh, well - maybe she means jelly beans. Long story short I bought a few just for a treat.

This morning, Natasha and I took the kids to the park. I took along some jelly beans as a treat. You know a pre-lunch healthy snack! At one point the boys were dumping juice on the ground. We both told them not to do that. Gavin explained to us - we put one of the jelly beans here in this hole and we are pouring the juice on so it will grow into a big jelly bean tree.

Makes sense I guess.

Fall is definitely here - even though it isn't official. It has been cool and there are already some leaves in our backyard. While I am sad to see summer go I am also excited about everything that is coming up. I love Fall! And this year we have so many new exciting things.

My son and God

Part of educating our children is instilling in them a sense of values and morals. For us that involves sharing our faith with our children. We try, when we remember (bad Mommy), to have bible story time after supper. This form of education will mean different things in different families depending on their belief system - but regardless I think Gavin's interpretation of things will amuse most people.

Several months ago my son declared over lunch with Pops and Grandma that - "God lives in here," (pointing to his chest). I was so pleased, I figured - wow, something is sinking in - great.

The following day he repeated this statement, and then after a bit of a pause added, as he stroked his forearm - "and there are a bunch of other gods that live in here."

Several weeks ago after our supper bible story time, Gavin said his favourite story was the Good Samaritan. Well, this has also been one of my favourites for a very long time and again I was pleased with the fact that he was learning some spiritual lessons. So I asked him what part he liked best. He responded - "The part where he gets beat up." Well...

Several days ago after playing in the yard with Max he ran out ahead of me as I went out to clean up the yard. He met me at the back door COVERED in sand. I mean it was everywhere. So I moved him to the edge of the deck and made him strip down. I dusted him off and told him to go in the house. He said no. I said, "Yes you go in the house, you can't play in the yard naked as a jaybird." He responded by saying - "God told me I could play naked in the yard." Again well... instead of arguing I ran and got my camera and took pictures of the naked child.

I don't know if there is a greater lessen in any of this but for now I'll just take it for what it is. A very curious and smart little boy who is pretty darn sure he knows more than his Mommy.

I can't see my toes

I am feeling very pregnant these days. My belly is big, my breath is short and my ankles are round. Great! I have also been very tired lately. I don't remember being this tired at this point in either of the other pregnancies but I think I was able to nap more often and probably slept better at night. Enough complaining!

Otherwise we are great. In fact, I am really lucky that I am doing so well - it has been really a pretty trouble free pregnancy.

We have had a pretty slow boring last week and a half. I think we were going so hard that I just couldn't keep it up any more and as a result the kids have been a bit bored with me. They'll survive!

I'd love to sit down and write a thought provoking blog - in fact I have had a fair bit on my mind lately and have several topics I'd write if I could. The problem is that I just don't have it in me. I am fighting the stupids these days. Really, I can't wait to be done with the pregnancy so I can get my mind back. Before I had Gavin I thought that baby brain was just a silly wives tale. I was wrong!

Well, I am off to bed. We are just so tired - the whole family! It is my wish that we all have a good night sleep. Good night to you and your house also.

Birthday weekend

Once again we had a really hectic weekend. Thankfully yesterday was more relaxed as I was completely out of energy.

Jared, Josh and Kennedy and Pam came down to visit so we came over and had a little birthday celebration for Bronwyn on her actual birthday (Friday). Kennedy made a birthday sign and blew up balloons. Very sweet! We had a very nice day returning early to start preparations for her birthday bash on Saturday.

We were able to have her party on our brand new deck. It isn't 100% done - but its only little cosmetic things left so we were able to use it. It is a great deck and fits lots of people. It even held the weight of two pregnant girls and my brother Jon!

The kids had a blast.

Sunday we came to Mom's house. She cooked lamb in honour of my birthday! Yeah! We enjoyed a quiet day - both kids were pretty sleepy. Today we are back out at Mom's as I have a work appointment. In fact, I better go rescue Grandma - they are unmaking her bed.

Bronwyn's check up

Our little girl did very well today at her cardio appointment. She didn't cry at all during her echo - which is the first time that has happen - well without sedation.

Dr. Harder was thrilled with how she is doing. Her sats were really high and her pulses were good... basically she is doing great. Whew!! The only downside to the appointment is that we began discussing the next surgery. I was hoping that wouldn't be brought up until her next six month appointment. In the next few months they will start the tests they need to prepare for the next surgery. For now they are loosely saying next spring.

Just wanted to give a quick update and throw a couple pictures of the kids up. The kids were helping Dad with the deck one evening. What a lucky guy to have such great help!

Checking in

It would see I have fallen off the blog wagon. It has been close to two weeks since checking in. We have been very busy, doing... well whatever it is that keeps us busy. Yesterday we had an enforced slow day. Mommy was TIRED. So the kids were forced to watch TV and movies and do low energy activities - whether they wanted to or not.

We seem to have had so many activities and things going on that every morning Gavin asks, "Where are we going today? Who is coming to see us?"

The kids and I and my friend Val and her daughter Megan went to Heritage Park last week. The kids enjoyed it and we even took a ride on an old train. Gavin loved that. Of course I didn't take my camera - too bad it was a fun time.

We have been having the war of the poop with Gavin. I thought we had crossed that bridge but... well he threw us a curve ball last week and we were back in the world of trying to get a 3 year old to poop. There are a few basic truths that I have learned in life. #1. Accept it - you will pay taxes, #2. The laundry will pile up again no matter how much you did last Saturday, #3. There is no way to make someone poop who doesn't want to poop.

I will say that we seem to be coming through the other side of the battle - scarred but still standing.

Bronwyn hasn't been giving us much trouble - she really is a model child - well as long as she gets whatever she wants, when she wants it. The only real issue is that she has definite preferences for certain colours but calls them all yellow. So she will have a fit because I have given her a yellow spoon. She'll cry, "yellow, yellow." Finally I'll dig out a pink spoon and she'll nod and move on like the world is now in perfect harmony again. Keeps Mom guessing!

She is also having her first official swim lessons. They split the time between the large pool and the small teach pool. The large pool is very cold and she spends the entire time climbing up my neck trying to keep her body as far out of the water as possible. As soon as we go in the warm shallow kiddie pool she starts playing and frolicking. It really is funny.

Wes is doing well too - he has been so busy. He has been working almost every night on the deck or the basement. We just have so much work to do before baby #3. Not only has he been working like a slave he has also been very tolerant of his occasionally emotional, cranky and somewhat hormonal wife. I think he may deserve a medal! Well, he gets my vote for best husband.

Bronwyn has her bi-yearly check up with her Cardiologist on Thursday. I am anxious to see how things are going. She seems so good, but there is always a little fear lurking - wondering what they will find when they do the echo. She can seem great on the surface but we don't really know what is going on inside. So hopefully all will be great.

The little miss turns two on Friday. Crazy business how quickly time passes.

Well - I best go read a book with missy. The little man is in bed reading books with Daddy right now. I should be doing the same with Bronwyn.

Another nice summer week

Life seems to be just plugging along nicely for us these days. What a blessing! The kids are doing well - both Wes and I have had head colds but that isn't major.

We have had a fun week. The kids have had visits with Robbie and Carissa, Cadence and family, Max (of course), Madeline, and Grandma and Pops. I had a play date with Warren yesterday too - just kidding I had a work meeting - but I think it sounds more fun if I call it a play date.

I'd like to ask that you all keep in mind some little friends of ours. Our little Internet heart buddy Gavin is going in for a heart cath. Can you please pray for him and his family? Also, I'd ask continued prayers of support for Drew Clark and his family. I am still praying that God's hand will be seen in his life in an amazing and miraculous way. Finally, I also want you to remember Quinn in your prayers, he has made some good progress in the last couple weeks and I'd like to pray that the momentum continues. Normally I check with the families before soliciting prayer requests - but I didn't this time. So I hope these requests aren't presumptuous.

We hope that you are all enjoying summer (except my family overseas - who have their "winter" or dry season right now.)

Just in: Gavin cried oohhh - Mommy Bronwyn just hit me. I said - Bronwyn don't hit your brother (this what I call parenting from the other room). He explained - I hit her first but then she hit me. So I said - Well, don't hit her first, seem a good idea? He nodded and agreed.

Camping

The kids and I have just returned from a very nice camping trip with my Mom and Dad. We didn't go far from town, which was good since I had to come in yesterday for a doctor's appointment. It was super nice. Gavin has been asking his Daddy and Grandpa to take him fishing forever. So finally Pops took him fishing. Gavin was very excited by it and taken with it - even if his actual fishing time was minimal. Bronwyn went hunting for different flora and fauna with Grandma while the boys fished.

I had expected pretty ugly weather for the whole trip but other than Wednesday night we had beautiful weather. Pops made the kids a fire last night and they tried roasting marshmallows. Bronwyn didn't really enjoy that activity so much - I think she can't see the sense in wrecking a perfectly good marshmallow by cooking it.

The whole experience was great fun and the kids are just exhausted tonight - even after a nap on the way home.

I feel tired but very refreshed. The kids napped yesterday afternoon and Mom and I sat outside and chewed the fat. It was truly relaxing. My only regret is that Wes wasn't able to come as someone has to worry about feeding the family and paying the bills. Next time we will make sure Daddy comes too.

Still here

Sorry I haven't posted in so long. We are still here and still doing fine. The kids are having a nice summer. Last week was pretty iffy for weather. There has been quite a bit of thundershowers which has kept them indoors more than they would like.

We had a lovely weekend though. Tom, Pam and kids are down visiting with Mom and Dad. We spent Saturday and Sunday with them. Bronwyn has bonded with her big cousin Kennedy. Jared, Josh and Kennedy were just my kids age - yesterday!! I am sure it was just yesterday. Now they are big kids and they are so good with their little cousins. Being able to spend time as a whole family is truly a blessing. I have such great nieces and nephews and it is so fun to see all the adults engage with the kids. It is truly exciting.

The gang had an enormous water fight yesterday - which I think Uncle Tom started - is that right? Yeah - I'll blame Uncle Tom. Uncle Jon took over the middle of the fight and Uncle Wes finished it off. Are you seeing a trend!! The kids have so much energy and stamina it takes three uncles taking turns to handle them. Everyone was soaked by the end. There were wet t-shirts lying all over the deck - which Gavin felt obliged to keep wet by continuing to shoot them with water.

The Lawrence family came over in the evening too - so there were kids spanning every age. We are glad to have Shibu and Claudia and kids home safely from their trip to Guatemala.

I don't think we were 300 yards out of Mom and Dad's driveway last night before Gavin was asleep. We are headed off now to a little water park with Max and his Mommy. Bronwyn is very anti-water shooting activity so this should be fun!

A visit with the Pippus family

Tim and Sara and girls stayed at my folks for a couple nights and we got to spend some time with them. These are some of the people that I love most in the world so it was a real joy for me. My kids LOVED the girls. We went to the zoo among other things. What a nice couple days. We are all very tired now. The kids were grouchy and tired today so I kept them close to home, with a movie or two and some backyard play. I find they need that every now and then - and so does Mommy.

We'd like to welcome Samuel Hiller to the world. The little man arrived late Sunday night. We are so thrilled for Drew and Erin - they will be such wonderful parents. I haven't seen pictures yet because my bleep bleep email is acting up!! AGAIN!

We are expecting a pretty quiet week. Mom and Dad have gone to Saskatchewan with Jon and family. It seems like everyone else we know in Calgary is also gone or leaving. Really I think we are the only people left in Calgary.

Gavin is anxious for his good buddy Max to get home from his vacation. So far we have been busy enough that it hasn't been a big issue - but I am not sure when they are home and with Pops and Grandma gone - well it may be an issue soon.

On a roll

Hey - I am on a blogging role these days!! Look at me.

I had Bronwyn up to the hospital yesterday for a follow-up clinic. She saw the hearing specialist, a psychologist and a pediatrician. They all said that she seems to be doing very very well. Her speech is a bit behind - but no one seems alarmed at this point. They will send us a report with the full details in a bit but they were all very positive. I was very pleased because she even told the psychologist her knock knock joke.

While I was up at the hospital I poked my head in on our Church friends Kari and Drew. Drew is under a year old and is suffering from seizures. The doctors can't seem to figure out what is causing the seizures and it is a very scary and frustrating for both Kari and Jordan. I asked Kari today if she minded if I requested prayers on their behalf. For those of you who pray, please pray now for this family. They are walking down a path that is in many ways much scarier than the one we were on. There is so much uncertainty. I know they will appreciate the support and courage that comes from knowing that many are praying on their behalf.

Summer fun

Here is a swack of photos - they really show most of our activities over the last week. We didn't take any pictures of our Canada Day celebrations - except for the kids in their clean Canada Day shirts. They didn't look as white by the end of the evening.

We took them out to Joan's to watch the fireworks in Airdrie - they do their fireworks in the park right across from her street. I was worried that Bronwyn would be afraid but she loved it - she squealed and clapped and laughed. It was really cute. I was also worried that both kids wouldn't see the fireworks because of the late start time but they did. That is the problem with having Canada Day in July - if they do fireworks they can't really start any time before 10:30ish (and that is here in Calgary - it gets later as you go North).

I managed to get some house work done today. For most people this wouldn't be worth noting - but for me it truly is a monumental event. Between being physically tired and really hating housework it just never seems a priority.

The kids and I are pleased with our little garden that we planted - everything we planted is growing - some was even planted from seed. It isn't elaborate just a tiny little patch - but it is enough for the kids to get a sense of garden fun - which means digging for worms, right??

We truly hope you are all enjoying some sun and fun.

Oops

I should have said HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Summer days

Wow - we have been busy - but really doing nothing remarkable. Just goofing off here and there. We met some friends on Friday at a park and the kids played and had a blast. The park had a water play park which was great fun - for all but Bronwyn! She is not pro squirting water. She loves the little kiddie pool in the back yard and will splash and goof off - but just don't squirt her with a water gun or the hose or well really anything!

Gavin also found a very wee little caterpillar the other day in the yard and played with his new buddy for well... a long time. Until the lucky caterpillar made his escape! He is getting far more gentle than he used to be. I remember when he was two he played with a beetle all afternoon - the poor beetle didn't make it. Gavin started asking - hey why isn't he moving?

We also had a sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's house - Gavin has been begging to do this.

My world right now is full of little discoveries and big wonder. If I can force myself to slow down and try to relate to what the kids are seeing it really is pretty amazing.

I am so angry

Ohhh, I am just so fuming. I was reading this article on the CBC website and I made the mistake of reading some of the comments. I was absolutely shocked.

I don't care what your political views are or your opinions on the environment to even start to compare Steven Harper with the current government in Zimbabwe is seriously disgusting. These people who are writing these comments would never dare do this in Zimbabwe - they would be tortured for weeks and left for dead in the bush. The secretary general of the MDC, Tendai Biti, has been jailed on charges of treason, for making statements against Mugabe and the government. In a world where one of the opposition party cannot stand up against the government without being jailed what hope does the average citizen have. There are bandits of Mugabe's who have said they will kill anyone who does not have the stamp saying they voted.

My Dad can't get his sister on the phone because someone stole the telephone lines in her area. Poverty and despair are so rampant that some one thought to steal a phone line!

Mugabe and his actions are news now - but trust me it is not new. This has been going on for years!

I guess the fact that so many people feel free to post their own political views in a public forum such as the CBC website proves that our country is in a very different political position than that of Zimbabwe (or many other countries for that matter).

What makes me truly so angry is the people who commented can't see past their own issues and see the real tragedy in the making. To read this article and turn around and make comment on our own political situation seems extremely egocentric and blind to the suffering of others. Not everything is about us!

Wes keeps telling me that I should post this on the CBC comments, not here - but I guess I figure if people are prepared to make public statements like that in the first place they likely won't listen to me. Wes is likely right but I am not going to do it anyhow! So I am ranting at an audience who is not guilty. So this is a misplaced rant - I just needed to get it off my chest.

Guardian Angels

My mom always says that during the toddler years a child's guardian angel works over time. I always thought she meant that they some how manage to avoid serious injury when they fall off their bike or a chair or something of that nature. Here is a little story that happened in our house last week that shows how Gavin's guardian angel has been busy.

We had a visit from our neighbor Max and his Daddy. We were all outside in the yard. I had to come in the house to fetch something for one of the kids. Gavin followed me in the house. As he came in he picked up a couple of my old puzzle books from the recycle pile. The rest goes like this...

Gavin - Mommy, why are these in the garbage?

Me - They were in the recycle pile not the garbage.

Gavin - We can't recycle these - we must keep them.

Me - No, we have new ones and those are all used up.

Gavin drops the books on the floor.

Me - Gavin, pick those up and put them back where you found them.

Gavin - That's OK, you can do it.

Me - Gavin.

Gavin - Mommy.

Me - Gavin, watch how you talk to Mommy.

Gavin - You watch how you talk to me Mommy.

Now I turn around from my task and try to grab him by the shirt but miss. He runs out the door, giggling and saying (as I chase him) - You can't catch me.

By now he is a couple feet from our visitors so I stop the pursuit and say - You are just lucky we have guests mister!

Gavin - (saying to our guests) I ran away from Mommy!

Guest - Why did you run from your Mom.

Me - Because I was about to throttle him!

So as you can see Gavin's guardian angel has been working overtime protecting him from his pregnant mother. This is my third pregnancy and one of the few things that has been consistent throughout all my pregnancies is that I have a shorter fuse than normal. So you see he lives under a charmed star right now!

Don't get me wrong, normally he is a very good little boy - but he is after all three and a half.

Finally some sun

We have had a few thunder/rain storms today but thankfully the sun has also been shining for the most part. We played in the yard with Max and Isaac this morning. The kids had a blast. We have been doing indoor stuff for so long that it has really become a drag.

I cannot express what a morning outside with the kids did for my spirits! I'm a new gal!

We are hoping the weather holds for tomorrow as Wes hopes to get some stairs on the deck (so his pregnant wife can stop climbing up and down using a bucket and a great deal of luck). We also want to continue working on building our little garden area. We have a timeline now - I got excited and bought some tomato plants to put in - oops!!

Baby news

I had an echo early this morning (way to early for me). The tech told me that unofficially (the doctor needed to review the tapes) the echo looked great and the heart looks fine. So good news.

We even had some sunshine today - whoohoo.

The kids are in the bath right now, laughing and carrying on with Daddy. Bronwyn is becoming a real "daddy's girl." When I am changing her bum or trying to get her to do something she doesn't want to do she says in a whining, pleading way - "Daddy, daddy daddy daddy." It is really cute actually.

Gavin on the other hand is having issues being apart from Mommy - which seems to include Mommy taking a shower! Sheesh. Oh well they are only young once. I truly don't hope he'll be standing beside the tub screaming and hollering for Mommy when he's sixteen. Truly I hope he isn't still doing that - it is a pretty scary visual!

Gavin is enjoying his swimming lessons. Oh no - a little naked girl has escaped the tub and found her Mom. Gotta go!

Hope

I have been thinking a lot lately about just how important hope is. Hope will make you hang on when every other indicator says to give up.

On a grand scale, hope is what helps many alive and struggling in Zimbabwe cope with their lives. On a smaller scale (although no less important), hope keeps the Mom of a sick little boy plugging away. Hope is God given - there is no too ways about it.

Recently, a friend of mine was describing an interacting she had with a health professional who wouldn't give her any positives about her son's development. The professional claimed that she didn't want the Mom to hang on to false hope and be disappointed. WOW - this blew my mind! What stunningly bad logic.

Hope is not about being disappointed if and when life fails you. Hope is about being able to hang on and continue WHEN life disappoints and fails you. To tell a parent not to have hope is basically telling them to stop trying. Thankfully, my plucky and very sensible friend put this advise exactly where it belonged.

I think of my family in Zimbabwe, hanging on to hope, because frankly that is all they have to hang on to. Mugabe can kill people, he can kill an economy, he can devastate land and destroy enterprise - but he cannot take away their hope.

We never have any idea what the future will hold for us. There will likely be joy and there will more than likely be sorrow. We gain nothing by losing hope, no matter what our current circumstances. Hope can be the comfort and catalyst that helps us rise from our current situation.

I hope my thoughts don't offend you, they are after all just my thoughts.