Our musicians

As you can see we have a very high standard of musical excellence in this house!

A few picts

I thought I'd throw some cheery pictures on the blog since I'm not feeling all that cheery today. We are all feeling better and Wes has been helping me with all the house catch-up. So on our front we are all fine.

I am truly struggling today. I had some bad news from an old and dear friend this morning and I feel pretty devestated. There are things in life that I never want those I love to have to face and I would do anything to take it away. But, as good as my intentions I am rendered helpless. I do not have the power to change any of it. All I can do is pray and think, and pray, and cry and think and pray.

I was listening the other day to some women discussing the power of positive thinking. The whole idea that what you imagine and desire for your life is drawn to you because of that thinking.

Now I do believe that this is true in one way but I do disagree in another way. I believe that many things in life happen to you regardless of what your attitude or thoughts. For example, having a child that has a severe illness is always a shock and there is nothing that the parent has done to attract this to their life.

But don't get me wrong I do stronly believe in the power of positive thinking. For me it boils down to a simple thought. I will not let the trials of life define me, I will be defined by how I handle these trials.

I maybe didn't give the thoughts these ladies espoused enough attention so this may be unfair. But for me it is too simple to say "think it and it will be." I am not denying that can happen. But there is a whole big portion of life that falls into the unthinkable!

ps - the spell check isn't working and I am horrid at spelling - so sorry for any errors.

A week goes by

Wow - time does fly when your house bound and miserable.

Bronwyn got sick on the weekend, then I got sick, then Gavin, and finally Wes. I think we have had more flus and colds this year than ever! I think this is just our year to be sickos. Next year should be totally smooth. I find it hard when the kids are sick but when I get sick - well now that's just insulting. We haven't even been able to enjoy the goodies that Wes' Aunt and Uncle sent to us yet.

I did want to send a quick update today because Bronwyn saw her cardiologist today. She is doing great - they are thrilled with her progress. They have several concerns that they watch after the Glenn and she is doing well on all accounts. I suspected she was doing well because is just so symptom free, but it is always a bit scary going in for a check-up. I can't see whats going on in her little heart or her body and I am always worried we'll get some unpleasant surprise like another blood clot or something.

Well - my daughter is wailing. I told Dr. Harder today, when she asked about her behaviour and fussiness, that as long as she gets exactly what she wants she's a model child.

So after a week of craziness here all I have to show for it is the piles of dishes and laundry and other neglected chores - wish me luck!!

Quiet days

I really have nothing to report right now. Nothing interesting has happened, well beyond the usual kiddie fun. I don't even have the ability to report on my latest greatest thoughts. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing much thinking. It seems we are in the winter duldrums. I am anxious for spring!

Just wanted to let you all know that we are still here and we are well.

Its a heat wave

It is -19c today. Wow! A heat wave. It has been too cold to do any outdoor play. We are also all recovering from a nasty cold - yeah we ALL got it.

The kids are doing well. I am attaching a fairly long little video of Gavin reading to Bronwyn. I grabbed my little camera as it was close and it ran out of memory just before the ending. It is still pretty cute. This little clip reminds me so much of my nephew Jared. I remember recording video of him reading the same book aloud at about the same age. Precious memories!

Speaking of precious moments - Gavin is at this moment trying to lift and put his sister in a little cardboard airplane that I made him this morning. It is just a long cardboard box with a hole through it. I had a feeling when I made it that it might be used for the forces of evil! Oh well -what are ya going to do?

Winter fun week

We have had a lot of outdoor winter fun this week. We had fresh snow and fairly mild temperatures so we made the best of it. Gavin also got to play with several of his little buddies through the week: Max, Norah and Madeline (well and Pops - lets not forget Pops).

Both kids seem to have bad coughs and runny noses right now. Wes and I are resigned to the fact that we likely won't get a very good sleep tonight. Oh well, who needs a good sleep after a long week anyhow?

We had planned to do some family activities tomorrow but I think Mommy is going to make everyone stay home and just get better - and FAST!

Gavin said something pretty cute today but I have to admit I have no idea what he meant. Usually children say stuff that is amazingly perceptive and/or creative. I have a feeling this was both but truly it was over my head.

We were driving out to Mom and Dad's and he had been coughing. After a bit he sneezed. I said - bless you. He replied - all the bless yous are in my throat.

Cute - but...

I best get off to bed and see what little sleep we can squeeze out tonight. Knowing us by early morning the whole family will be in our bed wrestling for space.

Both sides of the same coin

These pictures say it all, really.

Serious reflections

Wow - I feel very serious at the moment. I received an email from my old boss (I mean old as in past not that he is old!) with some info about a coworker. This was a coworker who I didn't really know. She started when I was on my first maternity leave and I didn't get many opportunities to visit with her. But she was sweet. She passed away from cancer a month ago.

I knew she was sick but I had not heard of the outcome. I went through my old emails and found a link to her blog and I spent sometime reading. One post she said how she looked forward to being a real mom again. How when she was healed she would chase her daughter in the park and enjoy her.

This came as a bit of a wake up call for me today. Gavin has decided he gets up early and he kept waking me up in the night - Mommy, come here... you know the drill. So I have been feeling a bit cranky and sorry for myself.

Then I read these reflections and I realize that this coworker would have loved to be woken up in the night to go lay beside her baby!

I was impressed with her faith and dignity. Maybe it doesn't hurt to be reminded to be thankful for our blessings. After all perhaps our problems and blessings are the same thing just a difference in our attitude.

Kid's books that I like

There are so many great books for children. I thought I’d just share some of my current favourites. Be advised these are very much preschool and pre-reader books.

Russell The Sheep – by Rob Scotton
Hi! Fly Guy – by Tedd Arnold
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! – by Mo Willems
I’m Sick of It! A Fishy Melodrama – by Vincent Bourgeau
On the Moon – Anna Milbourne and Benji Davies (Usborne)
Scaredy Squirrel – Melanie Watt
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs – Jon Sciezka

There are lots of other fun picture books that both of my kids enjoy. These are just a few of the ones that I really like. After all I read them I should get to pick now and again.

Just for fun – please make a comment if you know of a fun book for kids that I might enjoy too.

The birthright of all Canadians

My mom and I took Gavin skating for the first time today. It was pretty cute. It was also pretty darn hard on my back. You know it is totally crazy. You spend 15 minutes getting all the gear on and lacing up skates so you can hit the ice and hold your child upright for 5 minutes before he decides to quit. Sheesh!

Bronwyn walked around with Grandma while I propped her very unsteady brother up.

They have been really growing. Oh my goodness Bronwyn can eat. We had lunch at Mom's but Dad was out, so when he got home he ate. Bronwyn sat on his lap and ate half his lunch too. Maybe she is going to have a growth spurt.

I had a conversation with Gavin on the way home from Mom and Dad's that I found pretty amusing. It went like this -

Gavin - look Mommy a plane.

Me - oh, yes I see it.

Gavin - its a plane, no a heditopter, no a rocket.

Me - oh, a rocket (OK fine I was driving so I wasn't particularly engaged in the conversation at first).

Gavin - that rocket he's mad, he going to ...(I didn't catch where he was going), he likes old people.

Me - (huge laugh followed by) he likes old people eh?

Gavin - ya.

Me - Who is old? Am I old?

Gavin - no.

Me - Is Pops old?

Gavin - no.

Me - Who is old?

Gavin - I am, I'm free (three). That rocket he likes me cause I'm old.

Well - I best get my tired little body to bed.

Bits and pieces

We are just plugging along. Getting settled into 2008. I had to write the date on a form today - that felt a bit weird.

We took the kids swimming a while back and stuck their toques on as we were leaving. We took them out to get a quick bite and Gavin pulled his hat off. Very cool hairdo eh?

Bronwyn had her RSV shot this morning and they weighed her. I was so encouraged. I suspected she was pushing 19lbs if I was lucky. She is actually just under 20lbs. Whoohoo. In the past I have guess her weight and she has almost always weighed in less than I hoped. To have her almost a pound heavier than my hopeful guess was a real treat.

I have a really bad pain in the neck today (and no its not Wes - ha ha - OK not funny). I am walking around with my head forward and turned to the side - nice!!

I best go get supper on.

Doing good

It can feel very helpless, trying to be a force for good in this world. A world where this kind of thing is happening. My few little efforts are little but a drop in the bucket of a world driven by greed and evil. But I do believe that good does have a way of compounding.

I normally don't write about this stuff because I have family at risk and there is a good chance that their email, phone and internet use is monitored.

I have to work at putting my anger about the rot in the world aside and focusing on the things I do have control over. It isn't earth changing but frankly it is all I can do.

Things I love

It is the start of the new Year. We were all awake at midnight to welcome in the New Year. Thanks to teething girls and persistent little boys. I saw in the New Year the way I see in almost every New Year. Doing a jigsaw puzzle (family tradition). Crazy eh?

I decided I'd share some of the thing I love these days. So here it goes.

I love...

... how Gavin makes up names for himself and his sister - trotty and potty are his current favourites.
... how Bronwyn walks around with her arms clasped behind her back.
... how Gavin thanks me for various small things such as driving him to the store.
... how Bronwyn sings along when you start to sing any song and points up in the sky (from twinkle little star).
... watching my parents play with the kids - that is pure joy.
... how hard my hubby works to keep us all happy (not always easy with a cranky wife).
... how Bronwyn wrinkles her nose when she smiles.
... how Gavin says "all aboard" - onaford.
... how generous and loving our friends are.
... that winter is almost over (OK so that one is optimistic at best).
... how my son growls when he is frustrated (where did he learn that?).
... when Gavin said he wanted to meet Jesus and shake his hand and hug him.
... how Bronwyn moans along with her brother when he cries.

Well, this was self indulgent, I know but you do just forget these things and it is the little moments in life that make it worth living.

I must assure you all that in addition to the list above we love so many of you who read this blog. Our family and friends mean so much to us. We wish you all great joy in the new Year.

Just for fun

I thought I'd just post this little video. I took it last night - it is a bit dark - but I think you can see, mostly.


We are all recovering. The tree came down today - Gavin has been begging me to take the ornaments off. He loves playing with the long beady garland things. So the Christmas spirit has officially left our house.

Christmas fun

We made it through another Christmas. It was actually a lot of fun this year. Gavin really enjoyed all the presents. I struggle with a bit of a socialist conscience at this time of year. No matter how simple we try to keep things it still seems a bit overwhelming. But we are extremely grateful to friends and family who love and value our kids.

The biggest Christmas miracle this year is that we actually payed for a tree this year. It was half price and if we had waited one more day it likely would have been free (this choked Wes). But, Saturday was the only availlable day we had to get the tree dressed so we took the plunge.

We had a wonderful day. Uncle Brad and his girlfriend, Cindy, came over for waffles and a gift exchange. Then we all trucked out to Mom and Dad's and had a wonderful day with family and friends. We stayed over night so I could get the kids to bed at a still decent hour. It worked for Bronwyn, but Gavin was up to the bitter end. I was laying him down at 11:30ish. Wow - where do they get the energy.

Uncle Tom and family win the award for noisiest gift of the year award - an electric drum set for Gavin. I think that is a bit of payback for all the inappropriate gifts I have given over the years.

I won the award for most breakable gift. The little Ikea tea set I got for Bronwyn has already suffered a casualty. Oh, well at least I didn't pay a lot for it! Wes wins the award for most gracious gift. He got me a Celine Dion CD even though he doesn't like her at all and gave it to me on the condition that he NEVER has to hear it! OK - I can do that. We still have most of the ornaments still on the tree but I have promised Gavin he can strip it bare tomorrow - he can't wait!

We keep Christmas pretty simple around here. A few gifts, lots of food, a lot of fun with family, and a heck of a lot of thanksgiving for the gifts God has given us. We still are quite overwhelmed with how well Bronwyn continues to do. Our lives are rich and full and God has been very very good to us.

We hope and pray you all had a great Christmas. May God bless and keep you in the Year ahead.

Christmas Card

I did this last year and it was a great deal of fun - well for me at least. Here is our family picture and Christmas wish for the year. If you have been checking in on our progress and would like to say a quick hi and Christmas greeting, please comment. We'd love to hear from you.

It's a sort of virtual Christmas card.

God Bless you all in the new Year.

Happy Birthday Wes

Yup it is Wes' birthday. So congrats to the best hubby and best daddy EVER (of course excluding the spouse or father of whomever is reading this - naturally they are also the best ever).

Word to the wise - post for Bonnie

OK - so I confessed I had issues with Santa. So the other day in an attempt to explain Santa to Gavin, in away that still allows him the enjoyment but doesn't violate my personal sensibilities, I explained that Santa was like Diego. Diego is a cartoon, not real, and he is still really fun to watch and enjoy. OK - so just in case you are ever tempted to do this - DON'T!!! Apparently saying that Diego isn't real is WAY worse than saying Santa isn't real. Yowsers!! So if any of you ask me - Diego is real and he rescues animals all day long! Oh, and Jaguars make great house pets - its the truth.

Next is the tooth fairy - as you can see in the picture of Gavin (that is floss all over the floor) we are going to need the tooth fairy's help so we can afford to buy more floss.

Ice cream dream

So Wes took Gavin out this afternoon to pick up an ice cream cake. (Mom and Dad were coming over this evening as it is Mom's birthday today). Wes told me when he got home from their trip that he had a hard time getting Gavin into the car at the Dairy Queen. Apparently Gavin announced that this was his home, that they were his friends and they liked him.

Well, really maybe the Dairy Queen really is his true home - deep down in the ice creamy part of his soul.

It is hard to argue with logic like that!

Tis the Season

I must admit that I often feel the responsibility to write something a little bit more weighty than just our ramblings and small family events. I don't know why - I guess I have a sense of needing to contribute to the greater good somewhere - you know out there (ya I never found it either). But I often find myself at a loss. This is primarily because I am not much of a thinker these days. Some might say I never was - but they would just be rude!

So I sat down to write something that could uplift and encourage. But something happened (aside from the lack of activity upstairs). I read a bunch of blogs and discovered all sorts of pictures of Santa with little sweeties sitting on his lap. Wow that guy gets around. So as a result this blog is going to be more of a confession.

I don't know what to do with Santa.

I just can't get my head wrapped around it. We were brought up to not believe in Santa. We still got gifts from Santa and watched all the shows etc. but we were told it was Mom and Dad. I still remember sleeping on the living room floor in front of the stockings determined to be awake when they got filled up. I never did get a glimpse - sleep always came first.

Wes is fairly pro Santa but I just don't even know what to do with it. If I could I'd just go along with it - but somehow I just don't like lying to my kid. I know that this isn't considered lying by most people because it is a societal ritual, but I didn't grow up believing in it so to me its lying.

My problem becomes more substantial because my kids don't live in a bubble. All of the kids they know believe in Santa. I assure you I am the only person I know who has these hangups. So how do I teach my kid what I believe without violating the customs and traditions of others?

I want to be very clear that I have absolutely no problem with the decision of 99.9% of our friends and family and society who do choose to foster a belief in Santa. I truly believe it is important to honour your traditions and to pass on to your kids the things that had value to you as a child. For me it is just a very personal dilemma.

I do however, have absolutely no hang ups in wishing you all the happiest of Christmas seasons.