In a blink of an eye

Two days gone in a flash.

Such a busy weekend. My goodness.

After Gavin's last day of school we decided to go to Drumheller on Saturday. Kick off our summer holidays in style. The kids loved it. We had just a super time. Dinosaur museum, a walk in the badlands and the reptile museum. Several hours and three very tired kids later we were on our way home. In fact, while we were doing our walk, Wes had Mari on his shoulders and she fell asleep! Ha.

Today we went out to my folks and had what has to be the best steak I've had in years! Gee whiz, I won't need to eat for half the week.

The kids and I are headed on a road trip for a few days. So you won't be hearing from me until later in the week. Wish us luck, Daddy is staying home to work so we will be on our own! Yikes!

Heavy hitter

Gavin's last Tball game was last night. Big night for him. He enjoyed it a lot they got ice cream and a trophy or a torfy (as he calls it). The game got called early, a lightning storm ended the festivities.

Last year we did soccer and had a very bad experience, a very competitive coach who was horrified to have a new "inexperienced" four year old on his team. This year, in Tball, it was totally different. A much nicer experience, with a lovely man coaching! Super great.

This week sure feels like a week of lasts.

Tiny Dancer

So here is our precious tiny dancer.

Not my usual kind of post

OK, this isn't a normal post, but I just couldn't resist.

Wes is a big fan of his TV, I usually sit and do puzzles (trying to regroup after a busy kid filled day). I am never too interested in anything in particular. But, we have started watching a new show and it is SOOO funny (light, but funny).

The Good Guys. Check it out - its totally worth it!

Whoooweee!

It was a wild and hairy weekend at the Davis house. The sun finally came out and we tried, as did most Calgarians, to cram as much into the weekend as we could. The result is a pack of very tired children today.

Our weekend was unplanned but super eventful. The boring things, like laundry, house cleaning, etc still had to be done - so they got squished in as we could.

We did a lot of hanging with our neighbors. We drove out to Bragg Creek on Saturday and had a weenie roast. We worked on the yard - back to the dandy lion drama!! Sunday we did church, a local community celebration (full of sticky stuff and bouncing castles, and a local rugby team trying to teach the kids some basics). Followed by a impromptu barbecue with the same neighbors.

I know I've mentioned it before, but we are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors, they have become very dear friends.

Busy, busy. Too much sun, too many treats, too much fun. But not too many pictures, the battery in my camera died and I forgot to charge it up - so no photos!

Gavin

Gavin is known, in this house, as the ring leader. There is little that he isn't in charge of. As a matter of fact, I often say that I stand as the barrier between Gavin and world domination. If you hear that the world has fallen to his control, know that I went down fighting!!

Having said that, it is only fair to also say that he is charming, sweet, sensitive and amazingly clever. Really love this little boy. He is growing far to fast for my liking.

Bronwyn

Here are some pictures of our dear Bronwyn. She is so much like her Grandma that it scares me. She's careful and dainty and a total princess. She'll howl and cry if she doesn't get her way. If you ask her why she did something, she replies, "for a reason." She talks non stop as long as its just close family around.

She is lovely!

Mari

Our Mari is getting bigger. Wow - time flies. She has a crazy fun personality. She's demanding, tempermental, funny, goofy and a real chancer. Just a lovely ball of kid.

Here are a couple recent picts of our youngest little wonder.

Lemonade stand

Gavin has been very motivated to make money lately. He wants a Wii. Grandpa has one and he insists that we need one too. I'm reluctant to just "get it for the family", as Bronwyn doesn't show any interest in video games and Mari is still too young.

I came up with the idea of the Wii jar. I suggested that we have a little container and that we just collect all our spare change and any other money Gavin wants to contribute so that we can save for a Wii. It has become his main focus in life. He usually starts conversations with, "Here's another idea, how I can make money..." It usually involves me driving him to a toy store so he can buy toys to resell. I'm trying to impress upon him the bad economics in that plan, but he seems to miss the point. From his point of view if the money going out is mine, well he's still gaining.

This morning he was determined to have a lemonade stand. When I told him that we had to go to the grocery store to buy lemons, having only one in the house, he changed it to an ice tea stand. I guess a good businessman is always willing to adapt.

So he made a sign, we made ice tea, with help from Mari (which just about put Mommy passed her point of endurance). We set up his stand and he began to sell.

His first customers were of course Bronwyn and Mari. Mari wouldn't give up her quarter. Bronwyn gave her quarter up, but couldn't understand why she couldn't get it back. Finally, our neighbors came over and the real fun began.

At one point a city truck drove down our very quiet street. They stopped and ordered two ice teas. That was SO exciting for Gavin! Real customers. I thought it was pretty sweet of them. There was only one other vehicle that passed by, but I didn't expect them to stop. It was the rather cranky lady down the street who has only stopped to talk to me on one occasion - and that was to ask me what I intended to do about my dandy lion problem.

He made two dollars, which he added to his Wii fund. We do plan to supplement his fund, in case you are worried that I'm giving a small child an unattainable goal. I just think its good for him to be involved in the purchase.

It was a fun morning, the house will need some attention soon, but I suppose that can always wait.

We have arrived as parents

Tonight we enjoyed (or endured) our first ever school concert. A small gym packed with several hundred parents, no fresh air and seated so as to ensure that no one can actually see their child. Our child, being part of the kindergarten class had the shortest part of the affair.

We sat through an hour and a half of children singing and saying lines. Our sons part, as a class, lasted maybe 30 seconds. I'd get my money back if I'd paid anything!

They were very cute and it was very well done. It was a school concert though.

I feel as though we have been initiated into some very special and yet totally horrible club.

In a couple weeks we have Bronwyn's first dance recital - here's to hoping that at least one ballerina goes AWOL and does something worth watching!

Turning a new leaf

So the snow has stopped, the weather is supposed to be improving and its June.

I am determined to turn a new leaf and get out of the lazy blogging mode I have been in. So here it is - I'll be here more often - I promise.

Right now I have to run. Gavin is fixing things. His Grandpa gave him a little tool box and he gets up to all sorts of mischief with it. So I best go see what he's taking a part. I think its the baby gate at the moment.

Mari is likely in the bathtub. She crawls in there pretty regularly (if I forget to close the bathroom door). I'm worried she'll figure out how to work the taps.

Bronwyn is playing princess dress up - messy but not as destructive as the other two.

Best go see if I can prevent some property damage.

Big events

We have had a busy week - again. Doesn't seem to end. We have a couple flower beds in the front that need a lot of work - which I don't want to do yet. So we decided to just plant potatoes for now and see what happens. The rabbits better stay away!!

Late last week, Gavin lost his first tooth. It was a very big happening in our world. Much excitement!

The girls are busy bodies - playing and getting into mischief. Mostly Mari gets into mischief, but occasionally Bronwyn can too.

Hope you are all enjoying a lovely long weekend.

Cheap girls of the world unite

So just shortly after the big recession hit the news started playing stories about how people were cutting back spending. It didn't take me long to figure out that finally, finally I was cool. Cheap people have come into their own. OK - lets use a more flattering word - thrifty (and I'm not even Scottish).

Ideas of how to save money and how to reuse things are very cool now. Wes and I are so cool we can't even stand to be in the same room as ourselves - alright that didn't work, but you get my drift.

I have been planning on writing this blog for ages, and today I decided I would.

Here is my invitation: Comment and share ideas of how you save money. Particularly on the dreaded grocery bill.

A couple to start off (many of which I learned from my mother or friends).
- buy roasts. Do a nice roast dinner one night and use the left overs for other meals, like chicken pot pie, quiche, shepard's pie etc.
- buy a big ham (picnic cut is particularly cheap), best value for your dollar.
- clip a coupon or two (right Brandi).

I have no excuse

I haven't updated in a while, and I frankly have no excuses. Just haven't gotter done!

We have been super busy. Appointments, dance, tball, family activities etc. Just the usual life stuff.

The kids are great. They spent their morning on the deck in their swimsuits playing with one of their water toys. Nice to finally be able to do that. No rational adult would have had so little clothing on today, but kids love it!

I will attempt to sit down and write earlier in the day, by this time of day I've got nothing! My mind is blank! I promise I'll be back sooner and I'll try to write something worth reading.

Snow and shots

We have had snow, rainy sleety snow yesterday, which froze into wet slippery icy snow today. I cancelled our play date for the morning. Since it really was more of a Mommy play date and it was just out of the city I sort of lost my nerve.

We did however, brave the elements to drag Gavin to school, although he kept insisting that it wasn't nice enough to go. I did actually agree with him, but one can't give in! Then I dragged the girls off for Mari's 18 month shots. Yes, she is over 18 months! Crazy I know. What happened to my baby?

Well, they did the dreaded shot and Mari was seriously put out. So I went and got Timbits for her, her favourite thing. Then we got to Gavin's school to pick him up. She was too tired to even eat her Timbit. A badly timed appointment and much crying conspired to wear her out.

Not the kind of day where I feel inspired to do anything but sit under a blanket and let the kids watch movies and TV. Lazy lazy day!

I best get going and do something so Wes doesn't realize how little I did today. Shhh. Don't tell him OK?

My kids are now outdoor kids

We have had some absolutely balmy weather for April in Calgary. It seems so weird to be enjoying summer weather before the trees have leaves. Very eerie.

The kids have been on mission, everyday. A mission to get outside as soon as they can, and stay outside as much of the day as possible. This even involves lunch. I have put my foot down and we have not eaten supper outside yet - it isn't that warm!

I and my freckle faced English girl complexion could use a bit more indoor time but...

I haven't been keeping up with the blog or any other duties either. Just too tired by the end of the day. It wears a girl out chasing Mari around.

I've managed to get the spring yard clean up close to complete and the back garden is mostly ready to plant, minus the new section that needs dirt. I also plan to do some work on the front garden - but not too much, we have plans to build a veranda there eventually - so only temporary stuff for now.

This evening was cool and a bit rainy, I'm hoping for rain tomorrow. It has been so dry we could use some rain.

I will make an effort to blog more often and try to remember all the cute things the little people I hang with all day are up to.

Its just Bronwyn's opinion

Last night at supper, Gavin and I were discussing shell fish. We were eating a shrimp and scallop pasta, which started a discussion about the various shell fish and their anatomy.

I felt compelled to say to him, "We could ask them why they are being so shellfish." He looked up at me and smirked and sort of giggled.

Bronwyn said in a very matter of fact tone of voice, "Mommy, you're not funny like Grandma."

Well, I guess that is just her opinion isn't it!

Back in the swing

So we lived through a rather short week of school. It was nice in some ways to get back to the routine of school, but I miss the freedom of our holiday time.

We've had a lovely but pretty quiet weekend. Nothing too monumental. The kids are doing so many cute things and I really should make an effort to record more of it. After all, my memory isn't what it used to be. Or is it? I forget.

I'm loving my new washer and dryer, oh and my clothes line too - except I couldn't use it this week. It was too cold, and for at least 24 hours it had snow all over it. I didn't expect the snow or I would have taken it down.

OK - so enough about the clothes line.

The other day Mari was playing in the clothes basket. The other two decided that joining her would be great fun. It wasn't. There were tears and screams and much fighting. But at least I got a picture of the mess.

I'm off to bed, to face a new week - I wonder what this week will involve!

Its all a blur

Spring break has flown by, so fast I can't even remember what we did. We had no plans going into the break but boy were we busy. Just having fun and packing in as many little adventures as we could.

Lots of great moments. Lots of laughs. Lots of visiting.

I'd love to catalogue the various things that we did - but at this point I'm too tired to remember. Tomorrow is Gavin's last day off. We will stay home and just hang out. I hope we are all recovered from our fun by Wednesday when we return to our school routine.

We hope you all had a good break too and also have to many memories to count.

I'm so excited

I got a new clothes line (picture up top). I just can't contain my excitement. I'm thrilled. We've been meaning to get one for ages, but in typical Davis' fashion we couldn't agree on what to get. Unfortunately, our dryer packed it in a couple weeks ago, which forced us to make a decision. I decided that since I do 95% of the laundry, that I should get what I want!

I hung my first load out on Saturday. It was too cold and too late in the day, but I didn't care. I will stop my discussion of the clothes line here, as my husband has informed me that no one else shares my level of excitement. Well, buy your own I say, you can be just as excited as me! Oh, just think of the money we will save this summer...

We had an amazing weekend. So much fun, and I don't just mean buying a new clothes line. There were trips to the library, fort building, play time with neighbors, kite flying with cousins, good food, and very tired kids by Sunday night.

All around great weekend. This week is Gavin's spring break. I just love not having to keep a schedule and just doing whatever we want. So lovely.

I included this little picture of Mom and Mari - aren't they cute!

How to make an ass of yourself 101

I could write a book, or teach a class on this topic. I've decided that if I am truly skilled at something I should be proud of it. Even if it isn't something on the list of top 20 qualities in an employee or life mate or friend.

I took the kids to the dentist this morning. The older two actually. Last time I went I decided to bring Mari, cause "how much trouble could she be?" Well, as I was trying to hold a terrified Bronwyn the hygienist was chasing Mari around the room. At that point she was just crawling.

So I elected to leave her out. We dropped her at Val's house (thanks again Val) and we carried on. Long story short. The kids teeth looked great yada yada yada. Although, to interrupt my own story, how come dental hygienists can make you feel so awful, even if there teeth are good?

The dentist I take the kids to is in a group that specializes in children's care. They pull out all the stops - it is a very cool place for kids. I mean very cool. They talk in soft voices and they work hard at not panicking anyone.

They did X-rays of Gavin's mouth and teeth. The noticed an extra tooth (sort of freaky that) at the front that seems to be causing issue with his other teeth. The doctor told me that he thought this would have to be removed.

I replied, "That will mean surgery." He said, "Yes." I just shrugged and he quickly said, "Nothing like what you've been through, much much different."

But by this point the damage was done. I was crying. I was standing in a pediatric dentists office crying, as other parents walked by and gave alarmed and concerned looks. Little did they know that my tears had nothing to do with teeth.

I quickly started talking details, trying to regain control. As we left I apologized over and over.

The nutty thing is that the last time I was there I was almost in tears too. This poor dentist must think I'm a lunatic. Certifiable.

This might not bother most folks out there, but I'm not a demonstrative person. I don't like to admit I have feelings let alone "share" them.

Anyhow, there ya have it. Now if you have a story to top that, go ahead and share it - it might make me feel better.

Quick video clip

Here ya go!

Family is certainly useful

If you have tried to email me pictures and couldn't, or I called and asked for your email for the 17th time, or I only communicate with you through Facebook, then you will realize that I have had email issues.

Shortly after Bronwyn was born our email stopped working, not sure why. I fiddle a bit with this and that. Did a few things that my brother assures me are not "good" ideas. Anyhow, I have been limping along with webmail for well - ahem - over three years.

Today my Dad came and fixed it. Yeah for Dad!!

I am so excited. I can email again and save addresses and not scramble every time I need to send an email. It is amazing how we take for granted the simple things that computers do for us.

Anyhow, email me! Now. Then I'll have your email and I can build up my email address book.

Where does the time go?

Honestly, this weekend just blew past in a wink. No idea why, but it did. When people ask what we have been up to I have no answer. Just this and that. No idea what to say and yet I feel like we have been running busy all week. Strange this.

I mostly wanted to post some pictures. I had a ton on both cameras here are a couple.

I'd write more but I'm really really tired. I blame it mostly on my wicked cousin, Andrea, who although here for work, spent most of her time trying to keep me up late talking - against my will of course. Sigh!

Happy wear green day

Not sure why the whole of North America feels obliged to celebrate St. Patrick's day, but...

I am happy to report that my son is wearing green today. I had no idea it was St. Patrick's day, but by some very happy coincidence I put Gavin in a green shirt today anyhow.

I didn't even realize I had done this until I got him to school, running a bit late, and saw a line of kindergarten students all dressed in green waiting by the door. I panicked and grabbed Gavin. As I did so a bit of green shirt peaked out from underneath his coat. WHEW!!!

I guess I do have the luck of the Irish.

If the plug is pulled tonight (hypothetical)

So if an electrical storm is to take out the Internet tonight...

My house will still be warm. You just won't get to hear about it.

My children will still grow. You just won't get to see the photos.

Events will still happen. I just won't be able to share them.

I never intended to blog. The blog was a bi-product. A way to get information out to the maximum number of people. Our journey as a family lead me to want to blog. Sharing this journey has kept me blogging.

Writing about our world has helped me recognize my blessings and see the importance of communicating with each other.

I love opening my life to you. I love that family and friends keep up with us and know what we are doing. I love that you are all interested in how fast our world is spinning.

My hand would break if I had to write to each of you individually. Besides, I'm great at writing letters just horrible at getting them to the mail box. I have cousin Marj's Christmas card sitting, stamp already applied, on the shelf by the front door. At this point I think I'll just hang on to it until next year - save some time.

I love that the odd stranger has wandered on to my blog and found it interesting. That strange connectedness that I can feel with people I have only met in cyberspace.

Do I feel less private. Not really, trust me I don't share the really private stuff. I like living in a glass house, with drapes. I can allow the world to see part of our world, but not all of it.

I've never been a discrete person. To know me is to pretty much have access to all my thoughts. The strange thing is that I am more restrained on this blog than I am in person. Gives me more refinement than I have on my own.

I love this blog and I'll be sad to loose it. It has been a relationship, maybe one sided at times, but not at others. The comments and emails that came when we most needed them buoyed us and carried us through some of our darkest days. You will never understand your kindness to us. By dropping a sentence or two in our comment box you have given us hope and support. Its also just knowing that you are out there, reading & caring.

I'll would miss the process of writing about our life and adventures. The thought, editing, weeding, reconsidering... it has helped me define myself and my family.

If the Internet were to crumble over night I'll still be here, but I'll miss talking to you.

"Mabel’s Labels BlogHer ‘10 Contest"

Waaahaaaaa!

That was my evil laugh, not my that's so funny I'm going to fall over laugh.

I am exhausted tonight and yet I feel like I could conquer the world. Why you ask? Because I have done so much this weekend.

I have become accustom to never getting anything done. Just dribs and drabs here and there in between kid calamities. But this weekend!!! Shoot, I did it all.

Got everything done I wanted to do, and that was a long list. We even had time for some unscheduled fun, like playing in Grandma's very muddy back yard, (followed by the intensive, cleaning up of all coats, pants and boots).

This feeling happens so rarely. I felt I should record it, so some day down the road when I feel helpless and defeated by the laundry or the list of to dos, I can return and read this and know that I can accomplish things. Just not all the time.

A few pictures

Took the camera out yesterday after school. We strolled it to the park and took a few snaps.

Kids had a blast.

While I'm sitting down here typing the kids are upstairs playing the piano and singing. Bronwyn has more of the words than I would expect her too (likely thanks to the Olympics). I think I just heard Gavin sing, "Our home and naked land." HAAAAA. Not at twenty below it ain't!

Mari is just belting it out too - NANANNAAAA!

Ah, kids.

Hand me downs

I have grown to love hand-me-downs. I have limited storage space here so I don't like too many but the bit I get I love. Here is why.

a. They help with finances.
b. They are on hand.
c. Often they are things I wouldn't have bought.

I must admit convenience is one of the biggest. Not having to go look for new shoes or new pants all the time. Like the other day Bronwyn decided her Dora runners were too small, they hurt her feet. I went and rummaged through a bag of shoes that Jolie had given her. I found a little pair of well loved runners.

I didn't know what Bronwyn would think of them, not being pink or Dora related. I brought them out and explained they who had given them to us and that they used to be Norahs.

When I put them on she said, "These are perfect. I love 'em."

She has gone on and on and on about how she loves her new shoes. So cute!

Sometimes just having something to grab that might work saves the day (oh and did I mention the budget!).

I promise to post picts soon.

Beautiful day in Banff

I spent a good chunk of today driving to Banff with my very special friend, Katherine. We drove up, talked a lot of course. Ate lunch, talk some more. And drove home, talking the whole way. I even occasionally let Katherine talk. How nice of me.

What a wonderful day. The mountains were amazing. Banff was beautiful and spring like. It did wonders for my soul.

It was wonderful to come home to my very sweet little family. My mother called shortly after I got home to remind me what a wonderful husband I have and how nice it was of him to watch the kids for me so I could gad about. Yes, Mom I know. He is pretty great! He was even cooking supper when I arrived. Doesn't get much better than that.

Nice day all around.

Everyone should drive to Banff in the spring! Absolutely everyone!

Busy times

Well not sure we've been that busy - lots of TV watching going on. I feel like I'm in much better shape now, just watching the Olympics has done me good.

We are putzing along. I kept Gavin home from school today he wasn't up to par. I hope he'll be up and at'em in the morning. Mari manages to get into more mischief than one imagines might be possible. Bronwyn is doing well too.

In fact, Bronwyn doesn't always nap these days. Most times she manages OK, sometimes she conks out anyhow (like the shot above). I still make her have a nap if she seems like she needs one. Some days she just lays in bed and talks, and talks and talks...

No real news to share. Trying to come up with some exciting news but, I got nothing tonight!

Oh the kids made a fort in the basement this morning - they enjoyed it so much. That counts as news I suppose (not exciting news but news none the less).

Nerves of steel

I don't have nerves of steel, in case you were wondering. But my nerves have been through the ringer lately.

Shortly after Bronwyn's last echo, in November, her cardiologist called and left a message. She explained they were concerned about her right ventricle function (right side of her heart). For those of you who can't keep up with her strangely jerry-rigged system, the right side is essentially all she has. So to hear that she was "mildly concerned" about the function of that muscle was a bit alarming.

She was quick to explain, in a later conversation, that it could well be from post-surgery trauma. But we would just watch it. We also put her back on one of the meds that she was on before her surgery.

So this has been weighing on my mind since November. I have tried, valiantly, to not get carried away or too worried. I have reminded myself it was not a crisis at this point, just a concern, that may end up being little more than a post-surgery glitch.

I was, as we left for the hospital this morning, very nervous. Scared in fact. I kept imagining in my mind what the outcome might be (always worst case scenario - why? You don't have to prepare yourself for good news!). It might mean a change in medicine, or a cath? I wasn't sure.

I watched as the tech did the echo. Straining to try makes sense of the grey and black blobs, trying to see and predict what the problems might be. I would bring myself back to reality as I stared in the face of my beautiful, pink cheeked, little girl.

When the doctor walked in I wondered if she'd keep me in suspense for long. She quickly said, "We looked at the echo and her right ventricle function is beautiful." I didn't kiss her, but I wanted too. I didn't started crying uncontrollably but I wanted too.

I drove home feeling 1000lbs lighter. The sun was shining brighter, the birds chirped louder (at least I imagine they were as I whizzed by in my van).

The moral of the story, is that when you have a child that has a serious underlying condition even a mild worry can drive you to distraction.

Lazy weekend

We have been enjoying the laziest weekend on record. We've done nothing productive. The house is a disaster and we've loved it.

We started it off by allowing the kids to stay up late and watch most of the Olympic opening ceremonies. Which were super great by my estimation. Failing hydraulics aside I was truly impressed.

I got the kids to join me in my favourite sport - judging the outfits of all the nation's teams as they entered the stadium. My favourites were Slovenia (I think that was the name - who knows with all these emerging new nations) and it pains me to admit this but also the Germans. Nice job to both of those countries. The kids really got into it. We were doing thumbs up and thumbs down for the outfits. But every team got a great big cheer.

The kids were all sitting on their little chairs and they would cheer wildly and dance around shouting "Yeah, yeah." Mari was also very excited. She sat there and every now and again with little or no prompting would throw her arms in the air and yell "Yahhh." We'd all laugh and then join her. So fun.

Other than that there was some wrestling, reading, movie watching, trips out and about for life's little necessities. And finished with waffles for dinner this evening.

Nice weekend in all. We really can't afford to be this lazy every weekend. But it is super nice once and a while.

Kiddie photo shoot

I figured it has been a while since I have made any serious attempts to get nice pictures of the kids. I usually just try to catch the moments - you know like Mari walking around with Gavin's underwear on her head. But now and again I figure I need to try get respectable pictures.

Here is some of our effort.

In the outdoor shot of the three together Mari is being held, against her will, by her brother. It may seem like she is gazing at the neighbors tree, but actually, she was working hard at head butting her brother. This caused her older siblings to dissolve into a great fit of laughter.

Enjoy our kids - we sure do!

Foggy drive

I went to Edmonton last night and stayed over with Tom & Pam and family. I was attending a conference for hospital staff on treatment of children with single ventricle function.

It was interesting, a bit over my head but interesting none the less.

I got to see Bronwyn's favourite (and mine too), Lois.

I left Edmonton with a LOT going on in my mind. It was a very thought provoking discussion/set of seminars. My mind was just rife with all the details and my personal opinions all jumbled up in one big mess.

After I stopped in Red Deer for a quick pit stop I headed on my way. Just south of Red Deer I drove into very thick fog. I kept expecting it to clear. It didn't lighten up until around Airdrie - it was still there but just much lighter.

The unusual thing is that for the stretch that was the worst there was no traffic in either lane. It is amazing how comforting red tail lights ahead of you through the fog can be. Or even the head lights from the traffic travelling north. Here and there a car would pass but for the most part I was driving in the grey dark fog, not really sure of how far I could see or what might surprise me.

I was almost home when I realized that this was really just a physical metaphor for my life. I spent the day desperately trying to learn more about my daughter's condition. Trying to arm myself for the unknown.

Here we are as a family, driving alone on the road. We don't know what is ahead, and yet we still travel on, unable to stop or turn back. We pursue our destination. The occasional passing car helps light our way for a bit.

I guess all we can really do it crank up the music and enjoy the ride!