2011 12 Review

December went by in a flurry of activity. During the first week, I managed to decorate the house for Christmas, between packing and taking Charly to kindergarten. That weekend we had the staff Christmas party at our house.  Ended up taking the kids out to my Dad's for that night, where they had a grand time playing.  Charly had 2 days of kindergarten and then was off again when I took Sarah to doc in Calgary for a followup - doing well but needing to keep fighting with meds. Then we flew to Phoenix for a week's vacation.  We took our carseats onto the plane with us, so the kids were strapped in for most of the flight (awesome for dealing with Sarah), but a royal pain to drag around the airport ... since 99% of the people can carry their "carry-on" baggage fairly easily, there were no carts or such available to use. At one point we did make use of a wheel chair!  We had expected to fly out at 8am but found out the night before that the flight had been rescheduled to the afternoon. Flight went well, kids behaved, and we all happily arrived in Phoenix, to stay with my in-laws.  We had a great time there and did not really want to return, other than there was so much to do before Christmas arrived.  The trip back went okay, other than a delay, small planes and tired kids. I think I posted details / pictures from our trip so won't go on about it now. 

Got back very late Sat, unpack Sunday, 2 days of kindergarten for Charly while I shopped for Xmas, then another trip to Calgary to meet with a nutritionist for Sarah.  She said not to take Sarah off wheat, to give her a multi-vitamin since Sarah's off veggies right now, increase calcium, and in general just keep doing what I've been doing....Sarah is consuming just barely enough calories to keep her going and for now that's all that is needed. Handling the dairy and egg allergies is enough right now, on top of general toddler pickiness. 

Then school was out for Charly until January so had my hands full with both kids and Xmas prep. Xmas eve was spent at Aunt Janice's house with the cousins, nice relaxing time.  Christmas morning was the expected excitement from the kids, fun of unwrapping presents, and the joys of getting toys out of packaging.  Christmas afternoon my Dad came into town so there was 6 of us for turkey supper. This was the first time I've ever cooked a turkey before.  I've cooked chickens, ducks, geese, and wrens but not a turkey.  Followed directions and it turned out wonderfully.  For the dressing I followed a slow-cooker recipe that didn't turn out well, mainly because I hadn't read the recipe well enough ahead of time and so started it late... and it needed more seasoning.  Supper was good and filling.  Kids were worn out so it was a fairly early bedtime.  Boxing Day we weren't up to traveling for. the weather was great so we managed to get the energy up to take the kids to Bower Ponds for skating. It turned out to be lots of fun for all of us, and completely wore us out. 

Spent the next week playing with the kids new toys (especially Lego), and finally finished unpacking from our trip.  New Year's Eve we went with the Diamonds family to the Calgary Zoo's "Zoo-year's eve" light festival.  Started about 6pm and at 8pm there were fireworks there.  The temp was just barely warm enough for us to stay.  The 2 little girls were tired by 8pm and did not like the noise from the fireworks, let alone the cold and crowds.  There were lots and lots of lights to see, many outlining animal forms, some dancing to music.  I am glad we went but won't be back until the kids are older.  We stayed overnight at The Diamonds and rang in the new year with their warmth and friendship.

There have been so many little things that have happened with the kids lately that I never got a chance to jot down, so will see what I can recall...

• by Christmas Day the kids had "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph" down pat, and were familiar with other carols too. The kids love singing, so every time we get into the van I am bombarded with either them singing or listening to kids on a DVD singing.  I have become very familiar with some of the Sesame Street songs! 
• Managed to get the kids outside once in a while - the weather during December was very nice. At one point the kids took their tricycles out for a spin! 
• Charly has been enjoying kindergarten, and Sarah is a bit jealous of not being able to go.  He is slowly growing more comfortable holding a pencil and forming letters. Seems like all the kids in his class like him, which goes a long ways.
• I have tried potty training Sarah on and off since last Spring.  At the beginning of December she was down to having one pee "accident" a day but then with our chaotic life, she went down to having one success a day.  Will restart training again in January once we are back to a routine.  she knows what to do and when, but just doesn't want to make the effort half the time.  stubborn girl.
• Been digging back into genealogy more lately, and it is like an itch I just can stop scratching LOL.
• Resolution for the new year ... lose more weight (so original, I know) and to get more structure into the kids lives.  Start planning meals more ahead of time, reorganize some of our rooms, get the kids on more of a routine.  And to go to Vegas :)

Flickr, but this time also added the video there instead of to U-tube.  Enjoy!

December photos and videos

A story & poem that I just have to share with everyone

I searched the internet but was unable to find the author of this. Earliest dates it appears is in 2009, where it has been posted from someone who forwarded it ... Glad to see it still been circulated and remembered.

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport.. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough.'

The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.'

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'

'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents use to say it to everyone..' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear..

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.