Milestone day

Jonas learned to stand against the couch to look at the cars going down the street.
He could look at cars all day long!

Kara dressed herself for the first time today!
Please note the pants on backwards and the lack of any undergarments :)
Curtis taught her how to say she was "going commando"

We had our first ever family movie night tonight!  The popcorn was a huge hit.
This picture reminds me of that scene in Forrest Gump when big Forrest and little Forrest both tip their heads at the same time and then you know they are father and son.  Kara and I both stuff popcorn into our mouths with reckless abandon :)

Bathtub fun

In between scrubbing and soaping and shampooing and lifeguarding and refereeing, I grabbed my camera and took a few quick pictures.  Just because they're cute :)  (Please note:  before I had kids, I used to hate it when people talked about how cute their kids were.  I really hated it.  I found it annoying. Curtis and I would even make fun of them!  And now, here I am, doing what I swore I wouldn't do.  How little I knew!)

Don't freak out, man!

So this morning I was trying my best to give Kara a beautiful hairdo for the day, but she just wouldn't cooperate and was wiggling all over the place.  The more she wiggled, the more exasperated I was getting - finally I say (rather forcefully) "stop freaking out, man!"

To which my two-year old responds "No Mommy - I'm not a man".

You're right.  I'm sorry :)

Random thoughts on the past few weeks ...

The weather has been crazy!  Last week it was warm enough to shovel without a jacket on and we spent tons of time hauling the kids around in the wagon and the sled.  This week, it's so cold that your lungs hurt as soon as you go outside.  And we're getting a bit tired of all the shovelling (and by we I mean Curtis - I'm making liberal use of the "one flesh" concept!)  Locals to the ditch say that we've had more snow this winter than in many, many years.

This is what our lovely thermometer read yesterday morning - before windchill!

This picture is because we've been talking about how excited we are to get both kids in the bike trailer when the weather improves, so we had to try on Jonas' helmut.  Maybe a bit big still ...

And now the kids are sick again :(  Kara has pneumonia (or as she likes to say "I have a ammonia mommy!")  I think we're past the worst of it, but it hasn't been fun.  Jonas is sick now too - prayers are welcomed.

We seem to revert to "baby" tendencies when sick - like demanding only sippy cups!

Last night I went to see The King's Speech.  It was a great movie with really great acting and I recommend it, but that's not the point of mentioning it.  To provide a couple of hours of "me" time, not only did Curtis stay home with our sick kids, but he also babysat my friends' kid so that she could come with me!  So this is just a shout out to Curtis, who is my hero every day, but especially was last night.  Thank you for giving me the gift of free time which is so precious to me lately.  You are gracious and I love you.

And finally, one last picture, just because I think he's cute!

Hannah Grace

My baby sister had a baby today.  I'll say it again.  My baby sister had a baby today.  How is that possible? I mean, it's weird enough when you start having babies yourself, but when it's your baby sister?  It's hard wrap my brain around.

Hannah Grace arrived just after midnight after many, many hours of labour.  She's a big baby (compared to mine, I guess) and my sister pushed her out!  I'm so proud of her.  I'm SO proud of her.

I wish my dad was here to meet her ...

Family getaway

The Christmas season was as hectic as usual (Curtis with extra services, tons of company and just general Christmas craziness) and it left us longing for some time together as a family and just away from every day life.  We found a terrific deal on a condo in Banff and decided last Sunday to run away on Monday for a few days!  We returned this afternoon feeling rested (at least in our spirits if not our bodies) and put back together again.  Here's what we did:

The holiday started with lunch at Tim Hortons (a treat for those of us who live in the ditch).  Kara enjoyed a double chocolate donut and some hot chocolate.

The kids had fun playing in the tub together.

We learned how to paint using a paintbrush.

We played outside.

Kara and I went on an adventure into the town of Banff.  We got to ride the bus!

We went to Cows and ate yummy ice cream and bought horrendously overpriced t-shirts.

(Lightning MooQueen & Buzz Lightsteer)

We played for hours in the huge playzone at the condo resort.

When it got too dark or too cold to be outside, we stayed inside and hung out in our jammies.

Jonas slept well from all the excitement.

And when the kids went to sleep we sat for hours staring at the fire enjoying the quiet!

If you haven't had a family getaway for awhile, we highly recommend it!

Sick girl

Kara is sick.  Probably the most sick she has ever been.  Fever, vomiting, lethargy.  Can't sleep, can't eat.  It's terrible.  And it makes me so sad.  I have thought many times over the last few days that I would take it from her if I could.  That I would happily have the flu if it would save her the suffering (not like the flu is real suffering, but it certainly isn't pleasant).
Also, in just the last few days, I read about a 2 month old baby who was diagnosed with leukemia, a friend of a friend lost her 3 month old to an infection, a father of 4 died in a tragic car crash, a friend was rushed to hospital with heart pain.  Man, I am just getting sadder by the minute and found myself in tears several times today just thinking about it all.
I haven't finished processing all the thoughts that are mulling through my brain (and I recognize that much of how I am feeling is induced by two sleepless nights!), but what comes out clearly is this:  my life is not my own, my children are not my own - they are on loan from my heavenly father, our days are short and opportunities are fleeting, so LOVE.  Love my sick girl and care for her the best that I can.  Love my husband.  Love my baby boy.   My days are not wasted if I love with all of me.
Thank you Jesus for each of these that you have blessed me with for now.  Teach me to love them how You love them.  Bring peace to the hearts of these families who are suffering loss ... Lord in your mercy, hear my prayer.