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!

Finally some pictures

It would seem based on the pictures I take that I only have one child. Mari is doing so many cute things right now that I typically run for my camera to catch her doing some little wacko activity. Like putting Bronwyn's panties on her head, for example. Still haven't managed to catch that on camera though.

The kids are doing well. We had a flu bug rip through the house earlier this week. Bronwyn was hit the hardest. It is always a bit of a worry with her. But the flu was short lived.

The weather has not been terribly cold, but its January and blah. We have been doing a lot of drawing, crafts, puzzles etc. I am starting to itch for spring. Mari wants so much to do what the other kids are doing. She climbs on the chair and draws with markers all over her face and hands. If she can't reach a marker she climbs on the table. I've taken to strapping her in her seat. Otherwise I can't even go into the kitchen to get something. We are always hauling her off the table.

Gavin likes to practice different laughs. I'm not sure why, but he will try different laughs, some of them will last for several days. Most of them are VERY annoying (to Mommy). The one he has been working on over the last few days involves a lot of air suction. It causes him to start coughing uncontrollably. It has a bit of a "bad guy" sort of sound too. He comes off as a rather emphysemic evil mastermind.

Life holds no surprises or scares for us right now! For that we are very thankful. A boring life is very desirable.

No photos again tonight

Why no photos? Because the camera is upstairs and I'm downstairs and I'm really tired and if I go up I won't come back down. So if you want an update then you have to live with no new pictures tonight.

Whew - now that is out of the way!

Mari was sick yesterday, well and still today. She is doing much better today, just not eating properly yet and still pretty tired. It is pretty rare to get a snugly moment with her, she is such a goer, but yesterday and today there were plenty.

Bronwyn had dance class again. She was more reserved today as there were extra kids in the class. They are getting ready for a recital on Saturday. Bronwyn won't participate as she just started but I think the volume of kids intimidated her. She stood in one spot, holding her hands in front of her with her chin down for most of the class.

Gavin, is great. He's such a lovable little bundle of five-year old boy energy. He can be a bit much for his sisters (and Mom, ahem) at times but you couldn't get a more loving and caring little man.

I need to take a picture of some of his recent drawings. He really is very good. I think he'll take after his Daddy and be an "artiste." Bronwyn still scribbles - but we all gotta start somewhere.

I have to run now and do lullabies. The good news is that my throat ailment is finally clearing up and I can actually sing (in a non-croaky voice).

Gotta run - just a quick update for now.

Happenings

We are plugging along here.

Bronwyn is loving her dance classes. I have to remember my camera so I can take a picture of her. She is really getting into it now. So fun to watch. She leaves the class and chatters in an excited way all the way home. Her enjoyment just bubbles over.

Mari is into everything. She can get up on the couch now and she likes to throw herself across it or try to crawl up on the back. Mom's heart stops beating but she giggles and thinks she is very clever. She may be a monkey but boy is she sweet too.

I wasn't feeling well this morning, a bit of a sore neck (nothing major). Gavin decided he'd make me my coffee. He has done it before and he usually does a pretty good job. I try to give him time to do it and then go in and make sure it is all set up OK. When I went into today to check he had not only got the coffee going, but he had already cut up an orange and was working on an apple. I struggle between being really proud of his Independence and kind of freaked that he's using such sharp knives.

The girls are sleeping right now and Gavin is at school - I think, although I have tons of work to do, I may lay down for a rest.

The weather has been beautiful and it has an air of spring. It won't last but it is great for now.

Sobering thoughts

I have not been able to watch the news, particularly of the earthquake in Haiti. In fact, although I have been very interested I have repeatedly changed the channel if the news comes on. Not until the kids were asleep in their beds did I get a chance to get updated on the status. I'm alright with the kids knowing about the disaster, just not OK with them seeing vivid pictures.

I am sad. Very sad.

I am thankful. So thankful.

I'm glad my kids are asleep in their beds.

I feel like crying for the mothers who are left with no homes for their babies, or even worse, no babies.

I'm thankful that my husband has work tomorrow.

I am so sad for fathers and sons who can no longer earn a wage and are left with nothing. Even less than they had before.

Human tragedy is sad. Human suffering is also sad.

I feel powerless. I feel so far away and unable to touch the sorrow and help.

But I can pray. I can always pray. So I'll pray.