The real mother's day

Yesterday was my real mother's day. The actual mother's day was a bit of a bust for me. A nice day - but not exactly a special I feel pampered day. I basically chased the kids at Mom and Dad's while Wes, Jon and Dad watched hockey. So you know...

Saturday Wes worked. But yesterday was lovely. We have had a really low key weekend. After church we went for Chinese and then kids slept and when they woke up I took them to the neighbor's to play while Wes fixed the kitchen sink. We then ordered pizza and had a great visit with some really great friends. We are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors!

Today Wes worked but came home early. The Mackenzie's came for supper and again we had a lovely visit.

This felt like mother's day - so I'm happy!

We've also been enjoying playing in the basement. The lights aren't all in and the plug ins aren't covered and their are lots of touch ups to do on the paint and the baseboards need to be put on - but wow its nice to have the extra space. Wes has done a really fabulous job - I am very proud of him.

Dancing queen

I asked Bronwyn after Gavin's first soccer outing if she would also like to take soccer. She responded that she wanted to take "princess class." So I offered that in lieu of princess classes maybe she could take ballet when she turns three. As inviting as classes that would actually teach her how to be more of a princess are - gulp gulp - I think dance may be more productive.

She is sooooo excited. She practices her ballet around the house. The other day at Grandma's Gavin was singing while drumming on every plastic container Mom owns. They were both singing - I have a cute video of that too. (They are in their pjs cause I always put them in pjs before we leave - they don't dress like that all the time).

Gavin started singing a song for her to dance too. Not exactly sure what language it is but who wants to quibble over details.

I missed the really cute part of the dancing because my memory card was full so I had to go through and delete some things so I could take a bit of video. It ran out before the grand finish.

What talented kids I have eh?

Life continues

We are continuing on here same old same old. Tonight we decided to go to IKEA. Because dragging tired, hungry kids who need a bath out instead seemed a great plan. Seems unfair that we make these decisions regardless of how they are doing and then get upset when they behave badly. Really not fair for them.

We are making progress in the basement. The next job is getting the office (general junk room) cleaned up so we can turn that into a little room for Mari. Then I can put her in her crib and just let her cry and cry and cry - oh I am so heartless! She has bullied me long enough her time is soon up! Tough talk I know. The reality will likely be far more wimpy.

I got the kids little shirts for mother's day. Gavin's says - Mom's #1 fan, Bronwyn's says - Mommy's Canadian Princess, and Mari's says - I love my Mom. Gotta toot your own horn in this world.

Well - I need to take my tired self to bed. I'm too tired to even do my cross sums. Pretty darn exhausted.

Mother's day thoughts

Wes told me once that he thought that having children was the best decision that he (and I together) ever made. It was simply put - but he is right. These three wonderful little humans are our joy.

I love being their mom. I know they know that I love them and their response to that love is pure. I trust that God will protect them and I have to let them live life. I rely that one day they will realize that I am not perfect and for now will just forget my failings.

I write this knowing that I am not the only mother who feels these things.

I am so encourage by all the wonderful examples of motherhood that I see daily. I'd like to give a big cheer for Moms everywhere! Thanks for the light that you are in my world.

Sweet little boy

Today at Gavin's preschool they had the mom's come early so they could have a little Mother's day party. They sat us down on their little chairs (some say "have a seat", I say "half a cheek"), brought us cake and juice. They then had a couple songs to sing for us and then gave us a calendar they have been working on since mid April.

Gavin was beaming. He kept watching me while he was singing and he had the biggest silliest grin on his face. It was SOOO sweet. Obviously the other mothers felt the same way. Several were wiping tears from their faces by the end of the second song (not me I was raised to be unemotional and callous).

There isn't much that would make this Mother's day nicer at this point.

Ahhh, my little boy - I just can't believe it! He's growing up.

We laughed

Bronwyn often tells me stories that end with - "and we laugh and laugh."

Today Grandma Joan came to visit and brought the kids their Christmas presents (I know I know). Anyhow, Gavin opened his and wanted to open Mari's but Joan wanted him to wait until Bronwyn got up from her nap for that. So he went and dug out a colouring book of Bronwyn's. It has a princess on the front and has been buried under stuff for quite a long time.

He gave it to Joan and told her that she could give Bronwyn that. I found that very fun and was teasing Joan that next year at Christmas I'd come to her house and check out her house, find something I like and then "give" it to her. And we laugh and laugh!

Anyhow, then Bronwyn got up and Gavin showed her the colouring book while she opened the other gifts. She walked around hugging the colouring book and thanking Joan for it over and over. Joan insisted she was happy to take credit for the gift. Again - we laugh and laugh.

I also find myself laughing a lot over Gavin's interpretation of a Home Hardware commercial. They have a little jingle - Home owners, helping home owners. The other night in the van he was singing that little song like so - Home homers help me home homers. So help me I can't get that out of my head. Ahhh - so cute.

Any way - I have to go to sleep.

Weekend fun

We were camping at Mom and Dad's this weekend while Wes sanded the floors in the basement - we are getting closer - hurray. It was such a nice stay, a great break from reality for me. I still have a great amount of sympathy for the generation that doesn't want to leave home - why would we!!

We are home tonight and everything is covered in dust - EVERYTHING! Oh well, I didn't have enough work to do - so this is actually a good thing.

Wes has done an amazing job so far - I have such a talented and smart husband.

Speaking of smart and talented, on Thursday and Saturday night Mari slept for at least 6 hours - pushing 7. Crazy great eh? My Doctor suggested starting her on protein early to see if it would help her sleep better - something to do with her iron levels. Well, both of those nights she had pureed ground beef and carrot. She had it again tonight and if she sleeps that well tonight that may be all she ever gets to eat!

The little picture of Bronwyn was taken at Mom's. She is wearing a little outfit that Mom and Dad were given when I was a baby. It is from India. Oh, and she doesn't have rabies, Mom lets Bronwyn have her Tums.

I am off to bed, hopefully it will be a longish sleep.

Busy again

We've been very busy but I have forgotten the camera for every major outing - so I won't go into the gory details. It has been a nice week though. I am feeling a bit better. Wes is refinishing the floors in the basement this weekend and this means we are really close to getting the office stuff relocated down stairs and a little room built for Mari! YEAH.

Earlier today the kids were playing with our little digital camera. Bronwyn was having her turn, she was trying to figure out what to make of it when Gavin demanded it was his turn. This discussion ensued:

Gavin - Its my turn, Bronwyn is taking too long of a turn.

Me - Gavin, when you were her age I let you look at and figure out the camera. You were able to take all the time in the world to look at it, figure it out, putz around. You didn't have to share it. Bronwyn doesn't get that chance because you are always grabbing things away from her. Is that fair? Shouldn't she get a chance to figure the camera out too?

Gavin - Then she should have been born first.

Me - Well I suppose you have a point.

The girls are good. Mari is such a beautiful little thing. She has such a nice disposition (so far). If we could only get her to sleep Mommy'd be doing great. My biggest issue is watching and making sure she survives her brother's love. Oh he loves his little sister. But, wow is it scary for me. She doesn't seem to be aware of the peril. He loves to pretend that she is attacking him and he rolls around with her - can you say AGGHHHHHH!

I took Bronwyn shoe shopping the other day. It was nap time and I was pushing my luck trying to squeeze it in. She very primly asked the lady at the shop if she had any "Dodo shoes" (Dora). The lady led us to some crocks and sketchers that had Dora. She really wanted the crocks and I just said no. So we tried the others on. At first she said, "Me bough dees (me buy these)?" I asked how they fit and she declared they were too small and said she didn't want them. I tried a couple other options, by this point she wouldn't put her feet into any of the shoes I showed her. I tried to get her to point some out but she wasn't at all interested. In fact, I had to bully her to put her own shoes back on - she wanted to set them on the shelf too.

Finally we found a little pair of sandals that she liked so I took them and ran to the till before she changed her mind. GIRLS!

Snow again

I wish I was kidding but I'm not. I have lots to report but I have been to busy to report it.

Quick highlights. Gavin had his first day of soccer on Saturday, he seemed to like it a fair bit. Wes is really pushing to get the basement family and play areas done. I am trying to get Mari to sleep a bit more through the night because I hit a wall and can't do it any more. This is why Wes is trying to get the basement done so we have a bit more room to get a space for Mari upstairs. We have also been sorting through the shed and going through all the stuff we've had in storage since we started on the basement. We are sort of in wait mode for a date for Bronwyn's surgery - so we are trying to get everything in order so we can run when needed.

It is one of those times where it has to get worse before it gets better.

There is much to look forward to - summer is coming whether it likes it or not!

I will post pictures and more cute stuff later - right now I just can't remember by the time I sit down.

Spring blizzard

Yeah - I am not joking. Nor am I impressed. Really this just sucks!

Conversations with Gavin

My son talks - a lot! A LOT!

The other day in the car we had a discuss that went sort of like this.

G - Mom... Mom... Mom, Mom, Mom...
Me - WHAT!
G - Grandpa has a magic marker.
Me - Yes he does and they are for use only on paper. They won't wash off if applied to walls or hands or anything at all. So only paper right?
G - Right. I know that - I know everything. Markers are for using ... (this is where I zone out for a rather long rambling description of something or other)... but that is why God made bathtubs. To wash the marker off.
Me - Oh is that so?
G - Yes, and he made magic markers - just for fun.

The other day he was made to clean up the big mess he made in the living room. We had a discussion that went like this:

Me - Clean this mess up Gavin.
G - Why should I have to do it.
Me - You made the mess you clean it up.
G - (Murphing and mumbling) I don't know why I should have to do your job.
Me - What?
G - This is hard and you should have to do it.
Me - Daddy, intervene NOW!

This is a chat that he and Grandpa had after returning from a brief road trip.

Pop - Gavin, tell your mommy what big birds we saw.
G - oh, ahhh...
Pop - Remember... they were...
G - oh, big white ones with black beaks.
Pop - Yes, what were they called?
G - oh, ahhh... I forget.
Pop - They were geese - s.., sn.... sn.... geese (helping him out)
G - SNOT!
Pop - No not snot - snow geese.

Ah - fun!

Kid post

I haven't had a cute kid post in a while - so here it goes.

Today Gavin read his first word. He has recognized words before, but it has always been in a context where his memory has triggered the name. Today was the first time he recognized a word and said it with out having any contextual hints. He picked up his little bowl and said - Hey this bowl is from IKEA. It says IKEA. Then he spelled it out for me. Backwards - but all the letters were there. Cool!

I want you now to picture a little 2 1/2 year old girl skipping around in the backyard chasing butterflies. Do you have that image. OK - now strip away the backyard and substitute our living room (or yours if you've never seen mine). Now change the motivation from chasing butterflies to avoiding an angry mother who is trying to get you to clean up or do something for her. There now you have how Bronwyn acts when being disciplined. As they say - You can't change what you don't acknowledge. She isn't keen on change.

Mari is getting everywhere and fast. She figured out today that if she can position herself on the floor by her brother while he is eating popcorn she can try get the popcorn as it lands on the floor. I had to pull at least one piece from her mouth. I got a couple as she was about to stick them in - she wasn't happy with that!

So there you are - my kids.

Spring is here

Yeah! Yeah! and more Yeahs!!!

I haven't posted pictures in a while. I tought it was because I hadn't taken any - but I had scads on my camera. So here are a few.

Happy Easter to all! God Bless your homes.

Funny story

OK - I wasn't going to share this story because it is just mostly silly. But...

Yesterday Wes brought up a load of laundry for me to fold. As I folded it I started noticing funny blue stains on it. He thought something dark must have bled into it, but it didn't look like a bleed. Then I noticed that it seems sort of stiff, like it was some type of liquid that spilled on the clothes. I pulled out the clothes that were affected to soak them and see if I could get the stains out.

Tonight he went down to investigate and see if anything was dripping on the clothes. He came in and asked me, "Are you sure you didn't spill anything on that load?" I answered, "It doesn't have to be my fault does it? I know something went wrong but why do you assume its my fault?" Hee hee - I guess I am argumentative - ahem.

His question got me thinking. Finally I said, "Wes, you know these stains look like the liquid laundry detergent that I add. Do you think that I could have forgotten to turn on the machine after adding the soap?" Since Wes put the load in the dryer for me I then asked, "Could you have then put the wash in the dry without noticing that it was dry and hadn't been run?" The a-hah light went on and he said, "I thought the clothes seemed pretty dry."

So between the two of us we managed to pull off something quite amazing - the good news is that we did all the work and the clothes are still dirty. Ha ha - somehow not so funny.

Again I'm tired

Really? you say - what a shock!

I had family call us last night and ask if they could come crash at our house. We are not set up for daily living right now let alone guest so we really had to hustle to come up with something. Our guests were very gracious about the conditions and it was wonderful to see them. I won't disclose who it was, I'll just say it rhymed with Eric and Erica!

What a treat to see them. Eric has been a special cousin for well as long as I can remember. I don't think you could find a person with a more loving and gentle spirit.

The kids played at Mom and Dad's yesterday - had a blast. Robbie brought Gavin his bike from last summer, Gavin who wasn't really that interested in bike riding last summer (it was apparently too much work), had a blast. He rode and rode and rode - it was great to see. It would seem the bike riding has finally clicked - next step is to get the training wheels off - but that is a long way off I think.

Mari is getting around and is into everything - I have to watch so carefully. The kids leave things on the floor and in a couple seconds I'm digging whatever it was out of Mari's mouth. Sheeesh.

Bronwyn is doing better for those who were worried and were praying. Thank goodness.

Spring seems to be coming - yeah!!

For Faith

OK - I never do this! Ever!

I have been following a blog of a family who's little guy also has HLHS. I have never felt very comfortable writing about people or even asking for prayers unless I know I have their permission. But...

This post is not about them - but inspired by them. So Faith I am sorry for dragging you into this - particularly because we have actually never met.

I want to describe how I felt about having Mari.

I had a great level of fear when I first got pregnant. Bronwyn's cardiologist was excited for us and very supportive, which gave me courage. The first ultrasound cleared - whew felt a bit better. Next ultrasound cleared - whew - even better. Echo showed no problems - big big sigh.

So then Mari was born. Apparently healthy and no problems - with the doctor's approval.

How did having Mari affect me? Well, as the birth of any child we love her and we are thrilled to have her. But there is more.

Not long after Bronwyn was born I started to long for another child. I would tell Wes that I just wanted to feel normal again. I just wanted to have a baby and take her home. I was mourning the loss of not having Bronwyn home with us but rather in the hospital.

Having Mari has been one of the most healing experiences of my life. She has help heal wounds I didn't even know I had. My maternal desires and instincts were somehow restored and validated. Being able to bring Mari home only one day old and caring for her with no extra medicines or procedures was so liberating.

We did not have Mari because we had problems with Bronwyn. We always intended to have three. We had her because we wanted her and we love her. I guess her birth has just given me more than I ever imagined it would.

To me this has been a gift from God. He has blessed us so richly with her birth. She is not an easy baby - but she is good natured and wonderfully sweet.

Our family feels complete now. I think of them all as my heart kids.

When Gavin was a baby I prayed that he would be like King David and be "a man after God's own heart."

When Bronwyn was born her heart lead us to new places, new faith and new understanding.

When Mari was born she helped heal the wounds of my heart.

God has blessed us with riches beyond our wildest dreams!

Blah blah blah

I'm sick of snow, I'm sick of being tired all the time, I'm sick... well just my attitude. My daughter (Bronwyn) on the other hand is sick - throwing up etc. Lots of clean up and laundry and yet the house still looks a total disaster. How is that possible?

But, spring is coming as is a new day. My prayer for tonight is that Bronwyn sleeps well and is restored and that Mari sleeps well and I am restored! Gavin - well he's doing great. Bossy but great.

Love to all our family and friends.

Mari is a creep

Well a creeper. She is just one step from crawling - I can't believe the little stinker. I tried to get some video of her with my little camera (I have no clue how to get the footage from the video camera onto my computer) but it was out of batteries - of course!

Other than that we are holding steady. Its been a quiet week. Today we took a long walk that involved the park and cinnamon buns - nice!

We found lots of ice to crack and crunch. It occurred to me that I was teaching my son to dawdle. My best friend, Ali, used to complain that I was a dawdler - well I was. Today I was teaching my son the fine are of taking your sweet time.

This memory lead me down a bit of a trip through my rosy past. I was telling Bronwyn how lucky she is to have lots of girly stuff. I had two older brothers and I often got their hand-me-downs.

I was remembering how in grade 4 Bonnie Nicholson had a Holly Hobbit lunch box. It was beautiful. It had a separate compartment for the sandwiches and fruit and a little thermos for soup as well as juice. Oh, I thought that Bonnie had really arrived. I didn't say anything or act jealous. I had years earlier been the one to inform Bonnie that Santa wasn't real. She didn't take it well, and well I got into T-rub-el! So I minded my business, but secretly I was so jealous. Of course you ask, "Well, what was your lunch box like? I couldn't have been that bad." Well...

I had a bright orange plastic lunch box with a big sticker that read - Get off the track for Eddie Shack. Couldn't get worse eh? Yah.

Anyhow - I appear to be babbling - sorry.

Gavin and Bronwyn were just at the table having a cookie with milk. Bronwyn who really doesn't like milk asked for more. I said really and went for the fridge. She corrected herself and said - "No, not milk, cookie." Sigh.

Oh dear, I best go either rescue Daddy or the kids - not sure yet.

Great days

When I woke up this morning I would never have imagined that today would be such a great day. We woke up to LOTS of fresh snow. After a week of spring and warming weather this was disheartening. Just yesterday the neighbors were over and the kids were playing in the muddy sand box and the puddles all over the yard.

The kids all crawled in bed with us and played and goofed. Mari tooted really loud and caused a great deal of laughter and hilarity.

We decided not to go to church. Our street hasn't been cleared all winter and we had serious doubts that we'd get off our street let alone any further. When we told the kids we were staying home Gavin asked for waffles.

In our house waffles don't happen without whipped cream. Wes agreed to make the 5 minute hike over to the nearest 7-11 and get cream. Then I suggested, "Why don't we ask the neighbors to come over?" Cheers all around -particularly the kids. Wes walked off to the store while I phoned over and invited the neighbors for waffles.

We did a quick clean up and then I started cooking. I had two assistants when I started, but by the time I was cracking the first egg they were both in time-out. While we have two little wooden chairs, which are identical, they both apparently needed the same one. A bitter war ensued, which ended in the proverbial time-out.

The Harckhums arrived, just as I was realizing that I only had a tiny bit of baking powder left and not much floor and hopefully enough syrup. Mari had been neglected so long that she fell asleep in her excersaucer. Daddy finally moved her to a more comfortable spot.

It was chaos, but great fun. We are so lucky to have such great neighbors. They have become good friends. As we munched on bacon and waffles (I kept mine separate. For those who are wondering - bacon with syrup is gross!), Wes and I both commented that the waffles didn't taste quite right and that they seemed a bit funny. Our guests were happy, the kids were happy and the waffles were edible.

I then decided to heat up my coffee. I opened the microwave door to insert the coffee and saw a bowl of melted butter. Half a cup in fact, the very 1/2 cup that was mentioned in the recipe.

Aha - so that is what I missed - I knew there was something! Everyone had a good laugh, mine was a phony laugh though. If you know me, you know I am cheap and laughing over a half a cup of melted butter - well what the heck am I supposed to do with that! Later in the day we had a very big bowl of popcorn. While I made the popcorn, Mari, once again her tears falling on deaf ears, fell asleep on her little play mat.

We also played outside and I made a little tunnel through a small bank for the kids - perfectly safe! Wes went out several times through the day to push various stuck vehicles and help them on their way. Really, not much of anything was getting by on our little loop.

We had frozen pizza for supper (not my favourite) because we were all so worn out. Daddy also managed to get some work done in the basement, while I cleaned up the wreck of a kitchen and did more laundry, the white load in fact - you know all the socks and undies - sigh!

While I had a shower, I'm averaging 2 a week these days, Daddy got the kids in pjs and ready for bed. Now they are all sleeping (even Mari) and peace reigns, for now...

So all in all - a surprisingly great day!

Muddy muddy boy

We were at Mom and Dad's on Sunday, as usual. The kids were having a blast outside in the warming weather. We have had so much snow this winter that it is muddier and wetter than normal. Carissa and Bronwyn sat at a little table and had a tea party. Robbie tried his best to have fun by sliding down a bit of a snowbank. Gavin, well Gavin found some mud. Not just a little mud - a lot. Cindy had to go intervene at one point as the other kids were complaining that Gavin was throwing mud balls at them. Oh...

I had to strip him outside and take him in to the house half naked.

Boys!

Prayers again

My heart is heavy again tonight for our friends Kim and Ben. Quinn, their son, is having serious health issues again. A rare but possible side effect of the heart transplant has emerged. Now I usually ask first before publicly asking for prayers (but I think Kim will forgive me??).

Please pray for Quinn, healing isn't enough at this point - it also needs to be fast so Kim can manage more easily while Ben is away.

God Bless you our friends you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Will winter ever end?

I for one am sick of it!!

Here are some pictures of our recent adventures.

In my defense

Gavin always defends himself when I catch him in some misdeed.

Example:

Me - Gavin don't hit your sister.
Gavin - but she hit me first, or she wasn't listening to me or she did blaah blahh blaah first.

You get the idea.

Bronwyn is a fast learner. This happened this evening. Bronwyn and Gavin were laying on their little pooh couch fighting for space. Gavin cried at me and I saw Bronwyn kick him in the head. I scolded her and told her not to kick her brother. She responded, "Ganna's hair got in my kick."

Poor country

Oh, my heart is just aching today. This news story has just frustrated me and caused me great sadness. There should be a limit to how much one nation should have to endure let alone a good man who is trying to help.

Just when the news couldn't get worse... it does.

Spring is coming

I can feel it - spring is coming.

More importantly I'd like to solicit prayers for Wes' cousins' wife Karen. She has been struggling with her health for the last couple weeks and they have finally diagnosed her with Lupis. She has been in a very bad way and it has been a very scary situation for their family.

Please pray for Karen and Darren. Pray for the Doctors who are caring for her. Also pray for their little two year old boy that he may soon have his Mommy home and his life back to normal.

Thank you for your prayers and God Bless you all.

Little dancer

I was a huge Degas fan in my earlier years. I still am, but not nearly as much as I was at one point. Here is my little dancer!

Parenting without caffeine

It can apparently be done. I have know Mormons who do it and have lots of kids too. So it is possible. I just wouldn't advise it!

Mad mad weekend

We were crazy busy this weekend. But it was lots of fun.

Friday after preschool we met up with Val and Megan for a quick ice cream treat. Then we came home and had a quick play with Max and family. Saturday we had Mel, Cadence and Kalia over for some fun play. Then in the afternoon I had a visit with Katherine (a bit of adult company to help me keep grounded!).

We were at Mom and Dad's yesterday again. So busy busy busy.

It is snowing today and the temperatures are going to be a bit colder this week. Heck as long as it isn't -30 I'm good. I must admit though I am looking forward to spring. I love just being able to go out with the kids in the morning and letting them play while I work on my tiny little patch of garden.

I never used to really care whether it was winter or summer. But since I have had kids the summer is just so much easier and more fun. I find kids play better when they have lots of space to run around.

So if we all cheer to ourselves maybe spring will come sooner.

Gavin on God (again)

This conversation happened very early yesterday morning.

Gavin - Mommy is God our boss.
Me - Yes, he is our boss I guess.
Gavin - So we do what he says, right?
Me - Yes, we need to do what God wants us to do.
Gavin - So he's the real boss?
Me - Yes (Feeling slightly curious about the religious thoughts)
Gavin - So that means that you aren't the REAL boss - he is.
Me - silence - it is just too early to respond to this!

Time flies

I seriously don't know where the days go. When I was a child there were times when time seemed to stand still. It took forever for things to happen. Now I just turn around and boom a week is gone! Yes, that fast.

I have had a great deal on my mind lately - lots of things that I'd love to share on the blog - you know deep thoughts etc. But, I just can't get the thought to last long enough that it makes it to the Internet. So you can be assured that while I may still be a deep thinker I have a very short memory! For now you are spared my thoughts and inspirations - you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Highlights since my last post -
Making cupcakes with my children only to have the little ingrates decide that they were "yucky."

Deciding to take the kids swimming on to spend the afternoon in various parking lots unable to get a parking spot. I was feeling lots of love toward humanity on Valentine's day.

Having fun play with Max and family - we are so lucky to have such great neighbors.

Great roast beef at Mom and Dad's house.

Having Bronwyn spill a glass of water and say quickly - "Oopsies, dats alright dats alright."

Being inspired by my son's observation that we are in the van and it is moving, the stuff outside isn't and neither is the stuff inside the van. I am encouraged and hope this means that he won't do as dismally as I did in physics.

Having my hard working husband take a whole day off to spend with us.

Watching Mari not only roll over but somehow get herself tangled up on the frame of her little chair. She's a mover!

Hearing this evening that Wes' cousin's wife is finally starting to do a bit better. Karen we have been praying for you and thinking of you.

Deciding that I am finally too tired to even be cranky.

Going to Cochrane with Val to meet Hope and kids and go for a swim and lunch.

Having long visits with all of Wes' aunts.


Our life has been very blessed and we are very thankful. Our thoughts and prayers are with Wes' uncle as he is in the hospital. We love you Uncle Gerry.

Valentine's Day

As a reminder of how important happy heart day has become for our family, we got a phone call from Bronwyn's cardiologist this morning. Dr. Harder has presented Bronwyn's case to the surgical team and they are pleased and think it looks like the surgery should be very straight forward. We are on the list, it should be about 4 months, she is not considered urgent in her present state of health. So mid-June is the rough time line for the next surgery.

The kids have embraced Valentine's day. Gavin has learned to associate holidays with candy. He said yesterday, "Holiday's are when we get together and eat lots of candy, right?" I said, "Well, not ever holiday." Then I started to think about it and well, OK Canada usually isn't a heavy candy day. Neither is Victoria day or Remembrance day. But Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's, Easter - the kid has a point. It seems we treat our way through the winter holidays for sure.

Bronwyn helped me shop for the Halloween treats - she likes to shop our girl. She kept putting things in the basket and saying, "Ma have dat," or "Ma need that." She is really a chatty girl lately and a lot of fun.

Mari is doing well - getting over her cold nicely. She is such a smiley little thing. At night sometimes I can (even in the dark) tell she's smiling at me. What a cutie pie. This week she has cried herself to sleep on the floor a couple times, waiting for me to attend to her. Poor neglected little mite.

We are going swimming today with the neighbors. I'll sit it out with Mari but the rest should enjoy that. Maybe I'll get some pictures.

Hope you all have a very happy Valentine's. Eat candy!

Mostly on the mend

We are almost all healthy. Mari just needs to shake the cough and get some sleep. I could use a little too. This is short post as I am headed to bed IMMEDIATELY. Just wanted to let you all know that the kids are getting better and are once again into all sorts of mischief.

We've been sick

First Gavin got it. Then Bronwyn. Now Mari has it. "It" is a bad head cold with a heck of a cough. Gavin is the one who seems to have been the hardest hit so far. Although the hardest for me is listening to Mari hack. There is something just so scary about a baby with a bad cough. Gavin is on the mend today though.

Gavin's preschool is doing skating classes once a week through February. Today was his first class. He hasn't been a skating enthusiast up to this point. In fact, he generally tires of it quickly and wants to quit. I think doing the classes and forcing him to stay for the full hour will really help. He was still pretty tired today and got frustrated easily. At one point he was laying on the ice refusing to get up, saying - I quit! I quit!

I thought I'd upload a couple pictures. I love the one of Gavin with his new buddies from church. Wilson and Sarah and their kids met us at Mom and Dad's for supper last Friday night. Gavin had a blast playing with them.

The following night we went over to Max's house (I guess Matt and Natasha's house in reality) for pizza. It was great fun too. Sunday was the usual fun at Mom and Dad's. That was followed by two days of coughing and tissues! Wow - what an awful lot of tissues.