A right of passage

When I think back to my childhood it seems that Halloween was usually snowy. If not snowy, at least very cold. Maybe it wasn't every year but I don't really remember any warm trick or treat outtings.

So now, my kids finally had the opportunity to go out for the neighborhood candy-fest in the snow. Good memories for them too. This year, against our usual custom, I went out with the kids and followed them around. It was good fun.

Mari stood and chatted at almost every door. She stopped and waved and chatted to almost every other person we met as we strolled. It was a great opportunity to meet people, according to Mari. What a girl!

On another front, the new owners took possession of the Wildwood house today, so now we no longer own two homes. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I am very proud of what my husband accomplished.

A song to share

Today is Gavin's birthday and Halloween. And I am thrilled to get to celebrate these lovely childhood milestones with my family. What a blessing. We will have a party for Gavin on the weekend.

I have been listening to Shine FM more lately. Mostly because I have discovered that my children are starting to comprehend some of the lyrics to songs that I'm not sure are appropriate. Thanks to the M&Ms commercial Mari runs around shaking her wee bum and yelling, I'm sexy and I know it. But she says it so fast it sort of sounds like - I'msixtyandwoit.

I heard this song on the radio and it really touched me. I have been through a bit of a struggle lately. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't equate it with the more serious struggles in life, no one was ill, no one died, but it was a struggle that hit me in a spot of great weakness. I am sorry to say I didn't always rise above it, nor did I always handle it well. And although I may be a disappointment to myself I also now wonder if maybe that is the point. Maybe we shouldn't always be above our struggles. Maybe it should be hard sometimes. Maybe this is how we grow and learn.

So I'm not perfect. Whew. Glad I got that out of the way, cause I'm not sure I was fooling anyone anyhow. And I'm pretty darn sure God doesn't expect me to be perfect, after all that is why he sent Jesus.

Absentee

Wow! I have not been writing on my blog lately. It is unpardonable but not without excuse.

1. We have been very busy.
2. I have been having a nervous breakdown.
3. I haven't been particularly keen to share the details of my nervous breakdown.
4. I appear to be very good at nervous breakdowns.
5. OK, I think that is about it...

The big house project we undertook is almost over!! It is conditionally sold and the conditions will be removed by Tuesday if all goes well. Then the possession date is early November.

I am very proud of my husband and what he has done. So on to the next chapter of our lives. Praying it will be a peaceful one! YIKES!

God bless you all and thanks to all of you who have remembered us in prayer it means so much to us. More than you can know.

First days

Yesterday was the first day of school for Gavin and Bronwyn. I was pretty nervous. Bronwyn is going to be full days now - big step for Mommy. For the first time since she was born I won't be with her for big sections of her day. Doesn't make me nervous at all (insert fake laugh here).

Everything went well. Mari is insisting that I sit with her and watch her shows. I think she misses the others and so Mommy now has to be her playmate. Which is only fair, since I make her run all sorts of errands with me.

Gavin decided he might like school this year. This would be a BIG step for him. I'm just holding my breath to see if it actually takes.

Bronwyn chattered non-stop about her first day when she got home. So excited.

 

The girls also had their first ballet classes last night too. Mari was so excited about that too. She is finally getting to do the things that her big sister has done for years. Such a big girl!

 

Mari starts on Friday, she is so excited. She has already decided she loves her teacher and that her teacher loves her. Which, is actually kind of true, since it is the same teacher that Bronwyn had and she can't wait to have Mari!

I know fall is when all the leaves start to fall off the trees and winter is looming, but for me it is always new starts and wonderful things. I believe this fall will be wonderful for the Davis family. Lets wait and see.

I need to take pictures

My apologies, I have been just horrible about taking pictures lately. I hope to get a couple soon and post them. But for now...

Bronwyn had her yearly cardiology check-up yesterday. Everything is great. I suspected there were no problems as we haven't been seeing and worrying symptoms, but it is wonderful to have the confirmation.

We have less than a week left of our summer holiday. Soon we will be back to the routine. I am excited for the kids. Bronwyn can't wait to be back at school. Mari is super excited to start preschool and Gavin, well, he is resentful and not keen to go back. Oh well, two out of three ain't bad I guess.

The girls will both be doing ballet this fall and Gavin will continue with karate. We are taking a break from piano and other activities. We had such a crazy summer, Daddy was so busy that I figure we need to get back into things slowly. Maybe spend some evening time as a family.

August has just zipped by. Not sure I'm ready for school, but here it comes ready or not!

Bronwyn is six

I intended to take a picture of our birthday girl. In fact, she was organizing a photo with her brother and sister when she got knocked in the nose by accident. I took the shot but she was, by the time my finger pressed go, in full cry. Not appropriate for a birthday shot.

Will try to take and post one tomorrow.

I can be easily emotional for any of my kids birthdays. There is so much to be thankful for, so much to remember of our joy when first meeting each one. Bronwyn's birthday has a bit more drama and emotional baggage wrapped up in it. But then we are so keenly aware of God's blessings for the same reason.

All I can say is we continue to be thankful for her. Each year.

Swimming lessons

We are mid swimming lessons. The kids have finished off one week and have one more to go. I am so thrilled with how they are doing. Bronwyn is putting her head full in the water and enjoying it!! Gavin is starting to show signs of early front crawl and backstroke. And Mari, well, Mari agreed that she would stay with her instructor today so she made some strides too. She has no fear and gets a bit bored with the other three year olds in her class and likes to make her own fun. I spoke to her about it and she did so much better today.

We are still having a pretty quiet summer. Taking advantage of playing with friends and hanging around the city. Wes is still working pretty flat out, but hopefully only for a few more weeks! We miss Daddy, but we are so very very proud of him.

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer too. God's blessings.

Sick a bed with my feet out the window

My Grandpa used to say that - no idea what it means, but I have been sick. The whole family got sick. Mari first and then as she got better the rest of us fell. I was last to go and last to recover.

This has created a certain amount of difficulty and well, enlightenment. Mari has been rather unsupervised. And I have figured out who is responsible for 95% of the mess in this house.

I tried to talk Mari into being useful, "You can be our nurse." I coached her. She started grabbing at her sister and trying to pull her out of bed and as Bronwyn refused she yelled, "I'm the nurse, get up now!" Later she came to be and gently stroking my brow she leaned over and looked in my eyes and said in a rather jaunty voice, "How you boy?" As my Mom said, not sure the health system could endure her.

Good news is almost everyone is on the mend. I am hoping I'll be in the pink tomorrow. Rather ticked off that I wasn't fine today actually. Bit of a nuisance this sick stuff.

Oh well. Nothing to be done I suppose. The sooner I'm better the sooner Nurse Mari can retire.

Why I think I'm a farmer

I have long felt like I am a farmer. Well, not a real farmer but a sort of "kindred" farmer. Let me explain.

I have a list of reasons that I think qualify me to be a farmer.

1. I have a killer farmer tan.
2. I prefer to give directions east and west rather than left or right. (I realize that my motives for doing this are different than your average farmer - I personally can't tell my left from right so it is easier for me).
3. I have a little patch of garden - a few peas, tomatoes and beans - which I like to refer to as my crop.
4. I have a problem throwing anything away that might be useful.
5. I know some farmers and I like them so that kind of makes me an honourary farmer, sort of!!
6. I helped my cousin sell carrots at a farmer's market once when I was a wee girl. Was pretty good at it too if I can remember correctly.
7. I can tell the difference between wheat and barley (well not bearded wheat - haven't the foggiest how to tell it from barley).

Well, OK, so I'm not a farmer, I'm as urban as you can get. But... I will confess that I have a huge admiration for our farmers. These people have taken on a job and a lifestyle that has many inherent challenges and why do they do it? Well, they would have to answer for their own personal motivation. But what I do know is that someone has to provide food for the people of the world. It is a noble calling.

When I go to the grocery store and pick out my bread or my produce or my meat I am often unaware of the lives behind these products. People who run great risk of investment, isolation and mercy of the weather to make sure I have food for my children. It is for these people, these families and their choices I give thanks! God bless all our farmers!

Happy Canada Day

9

Schools out

I will try post some pictures soon. Just have been too busy to download any.

Today was our first day of summer vacation. I decided we needed to do a fair bit of relaxing today as we have all been going pretty hard through June.

The weather has suddenly turned sunny and it would seem summer is finally here. Yeah!

I can't write long, Bronwyn needs a snuggle with her mommy. Just wanted to let you know we are still here, even though I haven't found much time to blog lately.

I will say this. I am very proud of how my kids did this year. All of them!

Out of the mouths of babes

Today I was out at my folks house. Mom and Dad were hosting a barbeque and I went out early to help a bit. Mom was fussing around as she does and I suggested she sit down and have some coffee to relax as she was making everyone nervous.

Betty scoffed at this and said to Mari, "Mari, am I making you nervous?"

Mari replied quickly, 'Yes, wittle bit."

Ha ha ha!! What a quirky little girl.

House update

For those of you who follow this blog and not our other "house" blog, here is our latest set of adventures in that regard - The House that Wes built.

Also I have started reading again - dipping  my toe into all sorts of things that just catch my fancy - and if you have to know it is likely 17 or 18 century as that is my favourite period of writing! Not a big fan of the big, deep, depressing and important works that people write now. A bit of reality is sometimes too much!

Here is a very lovely quote I read today from An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde.

"You see, it is a very dangerous thing to listen. If one listens one may be convinced; and a man who allows himself to be convinced by an argument is a thoroughly unreasonable person."

Ha ha. On the lighter side, but still very cute!

It is well with my soul

I wanted to share a couple pictures and a quick thought.

Friday I had the honour to sing that song in an assembly that had gathered to celebrate and mourn a wee precious girl.

By -Horatio Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

When I was a child, even then, I loved this song. At that age I judged song merely on their musical quality. I loved "athletic" songs. But this song had a melody and tune that resonated with my heart even then.

But now... this song and I have history.

I sang this song as I drove back to Calgary, having just received news that my Grandma was in the hospital having had a stroke.

I sang this song when I got the news of Bronwyn's condition, unaware of what the future would hold for us.

I sang this song when Wes lost his job and the fear of financial worries crowded in.

I sang this song for my best friend when she had to bury a preterm infant.

I sang this song with a crowd gathered to support a dear friend who lost a child to a complicated and scary disease. Friday, I sang it again with the same crowd for the same family.

I sing this song when my spirits are low. I sing this song to bolster myself, to give myself courage, to remind myself of the community I live in and the suffering many others have had to endure.

I know I am not alone. I know that many of you feel the same way about this song. I know this song was a special gift from God.

So sing it! Sing it as loud as you can and know that - it is, indeed, well with my soul (and yours too).

This little Youtube link has the song (not the best rendition I have heard, but if you watch and read it tells the very moving story of the author of this song).

A new invention

I love roasted brussel sprouts and so does Gavin. When the outer leafy bits fall off and roast and crisp in the pan and salt - mmmmmm - so good.

So I decided that I would try pulling apart a couple brussel sprouts so they would be a pile of leaves and then deep frying them. I figured it would give the same roasted effect - if not an even tastier effect. Sort of like really healthy chips.

The did taste very good - greasy - but good.

The problem lay more in the execution of the project. It was frankly, dangerous. Potatoes splatter and splutter in grease. But these popped and exploded, well the leaves didn't explode, the molten hot fat did. I had to throw little handfuls in and shut the lid quickly. It was louder than popcorn. Hot grease was flying everywhere. It is a miracle I didn't sustain a burn on my arms or hands.

Not sure I will try it again. It was an awful lot of work, but it was nice and kind of a fun, albeit not kid friendly, project. And not one I'd recommend you try.

Maybe if I coated them in tempura batter they would be even better? Huh, I wonder...

Sunday evening thoughts

This was a lovely weekend. A lovely sunny, first day of real spring/summer kind of weekend. We enjoyed it so much. The grass is getting greener, the leaves are really starting to pop out and the neighborhood seems to be waking up from hibernation. All weekend long I could here lawn mowers going.

We did however, hear some very bad news pertaining to some friends of ours and our lovely weekend has been tainted with grief.

I am so blessed and tonight I am very keenly conscious of our blessings. My heart hurts, my spirit is heavy and my mind is whirling. And yet, for us life chugs on... and for that we are very grateful.

Part of wisdom is, I think, learning to grieve and share sorrows with others while still managing to celebrate our own joys and gifts. Life is a weird, wonderful and often scary thing, coming to terms with that and staying the course is tricky but necessary.

God bless you all. May God give us all strength to carry our various burdens and to rise to our own struggles. And lets make the road more pleasant by walking together.

My apologies for the lack of cohesiveness in my thoughts tonight. My mind really is a jumble.

Sunday morning rambles

It is Sunday morning. We are preparing to go to church. We don't always go to church. We sometimes meet with other friends and or family in fellowship, more private and intimate. But today we will go.
The kids are all ready. We have been up for, thanks to Gavin, several hours now. Wes slept in. My husband is very tired these days and I rejoice when he can get a wee bit extra rest.
Last week was not a normal week for me. My head just wasn't in the game. I blame it on a very busy weekend. Last weekend I drove to Edmonton to attend a cardiology conference. It amazes me how doing this, while super informative and helpful, also drags me into the world of "what ifs" and the reality of Bronwyn's condition. I cultivate a place for my family where we don't concentrate on this, where we forget. We have the luxury of forgetting.
I also did some reading. We all froze our butts off at soccer and we ran from activity to activity. The house project also had its fair share of drama.
Life's pressures sometimes weigh so hard, sometimes they just seem a bother, other times I'm reminded they are a gift.

We wait and watch while friends struggle through their own battles, several friends, all different, all serious, all well loved.
Family time is precious. We aren't big on outings and family events. This likely starts with me. I hate going places like the zoo. But, we do treasure our time, we just maybe do it differently than many others.
I know this week will be better. I rested this weekend. My head will be far more in the game this week. I'm thankful for that, but I am also thankful for last week. The reflections, the thouhts, the ignoring of all the housework.
Refocus and remember where my path lies and who I have my eyes fixed on.

God is good.

Where does the time go?

I have not posted in quite some time. My intentions have been very good, but my follow through has been rather wretched.

We have been busy. Bronwyn has lost a couple more teeth. Gavin has learned to ride his bike. He is starting to master stopping. Starting is still a problem, but it will come. Mari has been up to mischief. Oh and Bronwyn got her hair cut, I'll have to get a picture - she looks pretty cute!

Wes continues to be super busy with the house and I am busy running around after everyone. Oh and I have decided to start reading again, but I'm on the hunt for funny and engaging books - so if you have any suggestions I am open to hearing them.

Happy Easter

We are still here. I have been shockingly neglectful of the blog. The good news is I took a bunch of pictures yesterday and the kids are all dressed up today so I shall take more. So be patient exciting times ahead!

Lost tooth and my fashion forward girl

A couple pictures of the girls. Bronwyn with the new gap in her smile. And Mari in her own fashion creation. We were just leaving to take Bronwyn to school. She knows how to draw attention.

My cute kids

I decided last night that I needed to do a post and share some of my kids "cutenesses." (And Mom I put it in parenthesis because I know it isn't a word.)

I thought hard to come up with something but still couldn't. I think it is because there are too many things. I can't narrow it down - or I really don't listen to them. Who knows?

Of course, typing that made me think of Mari's latest. If I say I have to think about something she says, "Like my Jo-Jo, fink, fink, fink." She means Winnie the Pooh. She calls him Jo-Jo, thanks to Grandma, its a long story!

Bronwyn lost her first tooth. She lost it at school, so she got to go to the office and get a little tooth shaped container to put it in and a sticker and oohhh boy did she enjoy that. She came running out of the school at home time with a smile so large on her face, I could see the big gap immediately. On the way home she said, "Mom, I am such a big girl now."

Gavin, well, he has been unusually argumentative and for him that is saying a lot. He tried out a karate class last week. So yesterday he said to me, "Don't argue with me Mom I know karate." Wow! Where to start with that eh?

We have a few days of school and then we have our spring break. We are looking forward to the break.

If I can think of more cute things I'll write them down. Fink, fink, fink.

My beautiful toes

Last week was silly busy! Just one thing after another. This week won't be so bad, but we did "spring ahead." So I am expecting the kids to be a bit cranky this week. I'm an optimist!

We are having beautiful weather here and it feels like spring, although I'm not naive and I know it can snow many times more this year. But we are just enjoying it and breathing in the potential of spring. Lovely.

The girls did my toes the other day, notice I didn't say toe nails - I said toes! Oh my feet were so pretty.

We tried to float some boats down the gutter the other day, with the neighbor kids. There was a lot of built up ice in the way, so I gave the kids garden tools to chip it out. Yup, 3 - 7 year olds with rakes, spades, pitch forks and snow shovels. It looked like a scene from a third rate horror movie, I mean except it was bright and sunny and the kids were laughing, but you know if you used your imagination...  No one lost an eye - which is really something of a miracle.

I'm off to bed to try and sleep off the time change.

My nephew is an adult today

My heart is a bit sad and a bit shocked at how much time has passed.

Today is my eldest nephew, Jared's 18th birthday!

I still remember the first time I held him in my arms. He was just over a week old and Jon and I drove to Edmonton to get a glimpse. We had gone out and dropped a stupid amount of money on totally useless clothing (the stuff that is way cute but never gets worn) and off we went.

I couldn't believe how beautiful he was. He has an absolutely perfect head (maybe because he was a c-section baby). I was absolutely smitten! For years I carried pictures Jared, Josh and Kennedy in my wallet and would show them off shamelessly. Ask me if I have pictures of my kids, ahem! My standards have slid a bit. (I was going to scan in a picture of him as a baby, but with all our renos I have no idea what box the old photos are in.)

I happened to be at Tom and Pam's when they left for the hospital to have Joshua. Jared was 2, he had beautiful curly hair and he was BRILLIANT. I remember laying in bed waiting for him to wake up, worried that he would be upset that his Mom wasn't home. I was sure he'd cry and be hard to console. Finally I heard him stirring. I started talking to him before I entered the room, so he'd hear my voice and know it wasn't his Mom. I said, "Jared, your Mommy has gone to get a baby, so its just you and me buddy." By then I was in the room looking down in his crib. He gave me a great big smile and said, "Yeah."

I also remember him saying to me that day, when we were playing ball. "Go get the ball Auntie." I said, "No, you go get it." He came over put his hand on my knee and said in a VERY sweet voice, "Please." Well, I really had no choice at that point did I.

Well, he is no longer a curly haired little cherub, he is a young man! 18 years old. Wow.

So Jared, just know we love you very much and are very proud of you (and your brother and sister too).

On a related note, some of you have asked how Pam is doing.

The reports are that she has made it through her first month or so of the treatment and the doctors were extremely pleased with her success. She has proven to be strong and resilient. She has now entered into the next part of the treatment, which she can administer at home. I now ask for your prayers that this will go well, have the desired results and that the side affects will not be too severe.

Name that tune

On my way home from Langdon tonight. Driving through the darkness, listening to my ipod with three sleeping kids in the van (so in other words I got to pick the music), I reflected on the lovely day and the busy week ahead.
A great song (a super oldie) came on and it starts with one of my all time favourite lines from music (or anywhere else for that matter); "With only fear and good judgement holding us back, we sailed out on the northern sea." Isn't that awesome. Can anyone name the song and the group? I'll give you a virtual high five and you will have the satisfaction of having it known that you are truly a Canadian music aficionado.
Guess?

Last week was a bit of a blur for me. I actually came back from the retreat pretty wiped, and with a bit of a head cold (I blame that on Joan). So it took me quite a while to acclimate myself.
Yesterday we took the kids swimming and had a lot of fun. Today of course the usual mayhem at Grandma and Grandpas.

Good times all round.
So we go into this week - with only fear and good judgement holding us back... HA HA! That should be the Davis motto.

I promise to start taking pictures again soon. I have been a bit negligent lately. My children will wonder what happened to the winter of 2012 - no pictures to prove we lived through it.

Ladies Retreat

We arrived home last night from a weekend at the Sister Triangle ladies retreat. It was a very good weekend. I came home very tired, but also glad I had the opportunity to go.

Thanks to everyone who made it such a success and to all the ladies who made my life just a bit richer!

HA HA

Found them. And some folks say prayer doesnt work!

I've lost my keys

Little bo Mommy has lost her keys and doesn't know where to find them. Leave them alone and they will come home??

Came in last night with the kids and set the keys somewhere - we have exhausted all the usual places so now its just a waiting game... Well that and Ishould likely givet he house a good cleaning to see if we can't locate them somewhere.

Sheesh! STUPID KEYS!

Wes is busy looking, I'm bloggin (hee hee), Mari is finishing Wes' Iced Cap, Bronwyn is in the bedroom listening to Gavin who is giving a concert, a recorder concert. He was sent to his room to preform, until he improves of course, at which point he may be allowed out, maybe...

So wish us luck. The keys just have to be around the corner.

What is love?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Random thoughts & a request

We had a super refreshing weekend. Just a super lovely time. The kids played really hard.

Wes wasn't feeling well so he stayed home Saturday. He has been working so hard that I think he was plain worn out. He was back up and running by Sunday morning.

On the house front we will hopefully be having the framing, heating, plumbing and electrical inspections this week. I am so excited to be onto the next phase. And hopefully DONE!

I know many of you who have hung in and continue to read our blog are people who pray. So I now have a request. My sister-in-law, Pam, had a cancerous lymph node removed. They were super pleased with the surgery and with her quick recovery. She is now undergoing a treatment that helps reduce the risk of the cancer spreading (just in case there were some tiny bits still left in the system). I am sure I am not doing the details justice.

I am asking if you could pray for her and for their family. We are so confident that she will do well and that her general great health will play in her favour. The treatment sounds as though it can be very hard to go through. So please pray that she will have good results and that she will remain cancer free.

Your prayers have given us strength in our dark days and I continue to thank you for caring for us.

February 2nd is Lavine's birthday

It is ground hog's day. Today. Which means, I think of my Grandma. And so far today, I think of her a lot.

She was and is one of the weightiest presences in my life. Her personality could not be contained in a few descriptors. No. She was someone who walked with people. She held relationship at a premium. She understood its value.

She was tough. Really tough. Funny. Really Funny. She was kind in her own real sort of way.

I loved her very much. But more importantly I am thankful for her. For her example. For her life. For her passion.

Miss you Grandma.

Upcoming event

I have been asked to speak at the Sister Triangle Ladies Retreat at the end of February.

I have been working on the subject matter and trying to come up with something that will not bore them all. I hope I'm on my way. Of course, I have tried to discuss it with Wes when the house is finally quiet, usually when we are in bed. He has drifted off to sleep, doesn't bode well.

The biggest obstacle I have at this point is my shocking decrease in brain function. Hmmm.

What would you say to a group of Christian ladies?

I've lost my motivation

I put it down somewhere and I have no idea where to find it.

In other words, I have been very tired today. Normally Monday is my "productive" day. I usually get a lot done, not today! Nope.

Tomorrow will be better, I hope but I'm not sure as I'm too unmotivated to even make a plan - ha!

The weather is much better this week. The glitch of ugly cold winter last week has subsided and we are back to the lovely mild winter we have been enjoying.

Family news:
Gavin is growing again - must stop feeding him.
Bronwyn has her dance recital this weekend. She is very excited about that. She was excited cause she was able to show off some of her dance moves in her class at school.
Mari, well Mari stuck her tongue to the metal rail outside. None of our kids will be doing that again soon.
Wes is working super hard on the house. It is coming nicely, although I'm getting anxious to see some visible progress - you know like drywall.
Me, did I mention I'm tired today. Well, I am. Tomorrow will be a better day - it always is. If I could find a way to get our blasted children to stop coming to bed with us at night it would likely help.

Here's to a great night sleep for you and me!

The return of the routine

So here we are the first day back at school. Back to setting the alarm clock, making lunches, drop offs and pick ups. The break was lovely. It was wonderful to not have my day driven by the school's clock. I loved the time off, but...

It is nice to get back to the routine. To have the day broken up into tangible chunks of time. So as much as I resent the 'school schedule' it is also rather helpful. I find that I am more productive and can accomplish more when I have time lines. Having chunks of time in the day without three kids under foot also contributes to productivity.

Not that I am too concerned with productivity. My neighbors girlfriend was visiting with me one afternoon on her way in. I was doing yard work and was frustrated with how little I was accomplishing with all the help I was getting.

I laughingly said, "It has been almost seven years since I have actually completed a task, or accomplished anything." She laughed politely and then pointed at the three kids and replied, "Looks to me like you have accomplished a fair bit." I stopped and said, "Well, yes."

But that did give me pause for thought. Why yes, I do accomplish a lot.

This Christmas break we enjoyed our two weeks off and we played really hard. Really hard! And that was great.

Now it is back to business, time to get things done.

Post Christmas fun

The kids have been having a blast playing with all their new toys and gifts. They have been crafting and reading and drawing.

Yesterday I took them to Toys R Us so they could use some of their gift cards to get a few things. I picked out something I thought Mari might like and ohhhhh has it been a hit. It is a little make-up kit with a mirror and all sorts of make up. She played with that yesterday for hours. By the time she was done she looked like a radish! She took a look in the mirror and said, "Wow!" With excitement. I looked at her and said, "Wow," too, just with a different tone of voice.

I think I took a picture I'll try downloading it tonight.

The kids are enjoying the slow relaxed mornings of holidays. I have a feeling we will all miss that when school is back in.

Wishing you all the best of the season.

Annual Christmas Card

Best wishes of the season from our house to yours.

May God bless you in the coming year.

The Davis Christmas weekend

So we aren't terribly great at getting into the Christmas spirit as early as other folk. This year has been no exception. We all got the stomach flu last week so that slowed it down a bit more than usual.

This weekend we made up for our lack of festivities.

After a play date with school friends we went out to Airdrie to take in the Festival of Lights and a nice dinner with Grandma Joan.

Saturday we were able to get to go to Grandma and Grandpa's and finally do the ginger bread houses, some tobogganing, help set up their tree and just generally have fun.

Sunday Wes & Gavin went and picked out our tree. Then we had a potluck with our church friends. More tobogganing. And another potluck with another group of lovely friends.

In all that I managed to cook for both potlucks and get the laundry all caught up.

Whew!!

We are very excited for the Christmas break. I just love not having to comply to a school schedule and I think the kids are very ready for a break. They are also very excited about Christmas. Oooh busy times.

Budding photographer

We got Bronwyn a little camera for her birthday and she just loves it. She takes pictures of everything. I thought this shot was pretty cute and decided to share it.

Self diagnosis

Alright, so I am very fond of self diagnosis. In fact, it is in general what I let guide my general health.

I have been examining my symptoms today and I struggled to figure out what was wrong. Then it struck me! Like a bolt of lightening. I have PMSD. You may not have heard of it before, and I truly doubt you suffer from it, it is extremely rare. It stands for Post-Mari Stress Disorder.

Is it bed time yet?

A bad hangover

It feels today like Calgary has woken up from a wild party and is suffering a bad hangover. Everyone is assessing the damage of yesterdays wind storm.

I arrived at the school with Gavin this morning and as I crossed the street chatted to two other parents, both of whom had trees downed on their properties. We lost the top of one of our trees. We weren't home but our wonderful neighbor came and collected the branches for us. Now we just have to figure out how to dispose of them. There has also been a huge amount of siren activity this morning.

But, the shocker is what happened downtown. In all my years living in Calgary I have never seen anything like these pictures. It looks like Edmonton after a Stanley cup win. 

I am very curious how my friends who work downtown managed this morning. I am also very thankful for the emergency crews who will have worked through the night helping. It isn't the worst natural disaster that could happen, but it might rate among the strangest I've seen in a while.

Hoping this note finds you all safe and sound.

Everyone needs a helper

Oh and do I get help! I've had several helpers through the years, but the youngest is by far the most enthusiastic. Its nice for Mommy to have help, as long as she also had a good night sleep (ha ha).

Winter red cheeks

Oh these kids are so kissable!

So far today they have emptied the craft bin and glued a lot of stuff together. Mommy cleaned up. Opened a book store, emptied out their book shelf and hauled them to the living room, made money, had signs, stamped things... Mommy made them return the books to their room and dreads helping them clean that up. Helped me wrap a few Christmas presents. Mommy managed to stay sane and still wrap in my usual obsessive compulsive manner. Not easy. Wrestled them all into snow pants, coats, toques and gear. They played for a bit, while I shoveled the deck and took  pictures. They decided it was time to come in and ordered hot chocolate with marshmallows and popcorn (marshmallows were in the hot chocolate not the popcorn - just to clarify). Mommy obliged and filled order. Next??

Wes is working, hopefully he will be home soon, I'm having a hard time keeping up.

A bit serious

I have thought different times about sharing this - since many of you have asked about it. But, it seems a bit serious and I am working pretty hard these days to not be serious at all.

This is part of the speech I gave at the Cardiology retreat in Edmonton. I have not included the whole thing because frankly it was long, and also some of it was specific to the families who participated and I don't feel comfortable sharing without their knowledge.

Here is what I will share. The following was the beginning of the speech.

Let me tell you a story.

It is a cliché but still very true that life is a journey. We are all, every one of us on a journey.

If you could stop for a moment and use your imagination, draw a picture in your mind.

You see before you, not a conference room, but a vast landscape. There are hills, valleys, forests, rolling fields of grain. This landscape is riddled with pathways. Focus your mind on one particular pathway. On it is a woman, who looks very much like me, perhaps 20 lbs. lighter, I can use my imagination too.

This woman is walking along slowly, she is pregnant and she is pulling a wagon. In this wagon are bags. Some are large. Some are small. Some look as though they hold rocks, some are lighter looking. Step by step she carries on her path.

She gets some news about her baby. It is not good news. She pauses and you notice there are suddenly more bags added to her wagon. These bags hold her burdens. Burdens of uncertainty. Burdens of worry. Burdens of fear.

Again she starts to move forward one foot at a time.

Her husband joins her. Instead of making her burden lighter this actually adds to their burdens. They have new issues that they share together. Concern for their marriage. For their other children. Financial worries.

Friends come by and encourage them. Some say things like, I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t face this. How will you do it?

The woman replies, "We have no choice," and puts one foot in front of the other.

The due date approaches and the couple finds themselves on a steep uphill slope. They look at each other in despair and wonder if they will ever reach the top of the hill. They lean forward and pull with all their might. Unexpectedly they have a bit of relief.

She glances behind and sees their parents and family. She sees them pushing hard on her wagon and that of her husbands, while still pulling their own wagons.

They reach the top of the hill. It reveals a world of uncertainty.

Before her is a large shallow body of water. There is no other way to go, they must wade through it. She gently puts her foot forward and takes the first step. As she steps further in the lake the water gets murkier. She can’t see the bottom. She has no idea where her foot is going to land. She feels confused and unsure. The bottom of the lake is uneven and she stumbles as she moves forward.

Beside her paddles up in a canoe a group of people. While they all have their own wagons too, they have made it their mission to search and help those lost in the lake. They throw this woman a rope and one to her husband.

They paddle forward and slowly guide the unlucky pair. Storms blow in. The wind tosses the boat around. The woman and her husband cling on to the rope with all they have. It is all that is keeping them on the path.

The people in the boat may want to take the burdens away, but they can’t. If they try to reach and pull away the woman’s wagon they will not only cause her to drop the wagon, but they will lose their own. They have to work as a team and keep their own focus.

The group in the canoe hunker down and work together to keep the boat on a straight course. They each bring special skills and talents to the team and together they are much stronger than they would be as individuals.

The winds blow. The rain pours down and they hold a steady path. The woman looks up and realizes the crew has wagons that they have to balance while guiding them through this storm. Her heart is filled with gratitude; she has no words to express it. She and her husband keep a tight hold and hang on as they take one step and then another.

They reach the other side of the lake. In her case the results were positive. So off they continue. Parting ways with the heroes in the boat. The path is still very rough and there is still much uncertainty. They cross paths with other parents. They journey together, supporting one another. Realizing their own blessings and celebrating with the successes of others. Some parents loose children. The woman feels sad beyond belief for their suffering and does what she can to support those families as they continue on. These families have to carry on too. No matter what the outcome everyone still travels on, one foot at a time.

Some paths are harder than others. There is always someone suffering more. And yet she hears other parents say things like, “While I would undo the problem my child has, I would not undo the things I have learned.” She agrees and feels a deeper and wiser view on life.

People come by and say things like, ‘Is she all fixed now?” The woman smiles and gives her practiced answer, “No, she has been jerry-rigged.” She understands that people who haven’t been through this don’t understand much of her life. It is a lonely journey. A surprisingly lonely journey.

She puts one foot in front of the other. There are many new burdens that come as she goes. The burden of the time required to organize and manage all the treatments, appointments, consults. All these details need to be managed. The weight of her burdens causes her to give in places she can give. She starts to cut her own hair. Unable somehow to make time for a haircut, that one extra detail is just too much to manage.

She never relaxes, never sets down her burdens. One foot at a time she makes her way.

She makes her way on her journey. She carries on. No idea what the future holds. No crystal ball. Just hope for the future and thanksgiving for what has already transpired.

Now let your eyes zoom back out and you see the wide landscape again. The landscape riddled with pathways. On each pathway is a person with a wagon. A person with unique burdens, unique struggles, unique joys, and a unique life. One of those people could be you.

This is my path.    My burden.     My struggle.    My joy.      This is my life.

I hope you also see yourself in this story.

Little story

The older kids are at school, Mari is napping and I'm about to have a bite of lunch and then hopefully do some raking in the yard - again!

This little interchanged happened yesterday.

Bronwyn was in need of my help and was whistling. As I walked by I asked if she needed help. She said she did. She then added, "Mommy, here is a great plan. When I whistle you can come and know that I need your help."

Wow. Bronwyn. This is .... something alright.

Trick or Treat

The kids had a blast running, and I guess there was a lot of running, around the neighborhood. It was hard to get decent pictures - they weren't in the mood to be still and pose for Mom.

I had a rather boring night on the home front. We had a few kids come to the door this year. The worst turn out ever actually. I think kids got word of the lady handing out toothpaste on our block last year and stayed away - scary!

Hope you all had a safe and enjoyable candy collection night!

Happy 7th Birthday to our boy

It seems hard to believe that Gavin is already seven. Just the other day I was looking at him and he seemed such a big boy. Not a big boy, but a Big Boy. Sigh. But then he was cuddled up on my lap this morning and he will still always be my baby!

I started this blog when Gavin was almost two. So there are no baby pictures of him. So here are a couple. The nurses put a little decorated hat on him since he was born on Halloween. Technically it was his first costume.

The other picture was taken a bit later, he was such a smiley wonderful boy. Oh, dear, I am making myself nostalgic, I better stop.

The day Bronwyn had an accident and I became a shop-lifter

Mari and I walked to get the kids today from school. It was a beautiful, if slightly chilly, fall day. Mari, for the second day, did not have a nap. I hoped that she would fall asleep in the stroller, which unlike yesterday, she did today.

Bronwyn came out of the school first. As we waited for Gavin I asked her if she had to go to the bathroom. No was the answer.
We walked up the road and decided to go to the dollar store, just slightly out of our way. We made our way to the back of the store where the napkins and party plates and supplies were decked out. Gavin was advising me on which style he preferred for his party. I placed some plates and napkins on top of the stroller. At that point Bronwyn started making squeaking noises and spinning in a circle.

I turned from the party details and asked if she had to pee. She said, No. But she was grabbing at herself as she spun in a circle. I said in a rushed way that I would ask to use the bathroom if that was the problem. She shook her head and then started to cry. A large yellowy puddle was now all over the floor. I was MORTIFIED! I took off my coat and tried to mop up the mess. I took Bronwyn's school water bottle dumped it on the semi-cleaned mess and then wiped it up again.

Gavin was still, somehow oblivious to what had transpired, discussing which plates he would like. I declared we would come back at another time, for now we had to just go home. We had a good little walk to get home and I wanted to go before it got any colder, Bronwyn would freeze. And since I now didn't have a coat, so would I.

I informed the man at the till and told him I tried to clean it up. He said he'd go get a mop, no worries these things happen. He helped me with the door. I back out and stood in front of the door to talk to Bronwyn to see if she wanted her tights removed. The man reemerged and asked if I had paid for the items, pointing to the stroller.
I gasped and handed them back to him quickly saying NO! So sorry!

There, it would appear I have started my criminal career. I'm not very good at it, I'm afraid.

The big party

We had Mari's birthday party today. It was good fun with great friends and family. Mari enjoyed it thoroughly. She really understood what it was all about and just relished in it. Her party was after a pot luck lunch, and she would normally have napped. But, she was eager and excited for the party and she just kept going.

Shortly after everyone left I put on a movie so the kids could have some quiet time. She CRASHED. The little partier pooped out.

We had a busy weekend, but it was wonderful. God has blessed us so richly.

Our sweet girl is three

It just seems like the other day that Mari flew into our life. And suddenly she is three. Wow!

I think my favourite thing about Mari is that I'll hear a big bang and look in its direction to find Mari standing there shocked. She quickly says, "Wasn't me." Or, "It was Ganna's fault (or Bonna's fault - depending on who happens to be within her site.)"

Kooky little girl.

Tenth Anniversary

It is our anniversary today. Ten years ago today Wes and I tied the knot. Regrets? Nope.

I love my guy. I love his crazy optimistic, artistic, stubborn ways - even if they lead us down strange paths. Wes is, in short, a good man. Together we are working on building a life. A life, hopefully built of faith and love.

We have three wonderful children. Who all act just like their father when they misbehave.

I may not always feel comfortable in my life, but I am truly thankful for everything the Lord has done for me. He has blessed me in wonderful ways. I count among my greatest blessings my husband.

Sentimental enough?

To piano and back

October is Davis month

Wes and I got married in October.

Two of our three children were born in October.

We brought Bronwyn home for the first time in October (well the day before October).

Bronwyn's third surgery was the beginning of October (again just before but the recover was in October).

I love the smell of the leaves. I love the colours. October always feels like a new beginning. A fresh start.

I love it.