two and a half

You don't even have to tell me that he looks older, because I SO know. He is growing so fast lately. He has grown over four inches in the past year! and is just acting more like a three year old all the time. Yesterday for the first time, he refused a nap. I can't believe that he is growing up so quick. He talks a lot more and seems to know what is going on and adds to the conversation all the time.
He is such a big boy in his Sunday school class, bringing home things he's made and telling me about things. He is still our little baby though, a complete honey and funny too.
Love this kid.

To my friends who pray

There really aren't a whole lot of people who visit this blog. But I wanted to let you know and would covet your prayers for baby Ella yet again.
I'll leave it simple. Ella. Monday. Brain surgery.
Thanks to all of you!

UPDATE: She didn't get squeezed in for surgery until 1pm on Tuesday. Thanks for praying.

UPDATE 2: from Luke's facebook..."Ella is through surgery. She did well (and so did the doctors). They were able to give her another ETV (so no shunt - that's good!). She could be clear to leave the hospital tomorrow if all goes well with recovery. She didn't actually get into the surgery until 2:30, so Pam is just going to see her now. Will update later."

:)

UPDATE 3: from Luke's facebook..." OK bad news. Ella is getting worse and the ultrasounds show that her ventricles are swollen even bigger than before. She is being prepped now for emergency surgery to install a shunt."

:(
Luke is now on his way down to Vancouver to join Pam.

(for those who don't know these people...this is my big brother Luke, his wife Pam, and their four kids, Amy, Claire, Evan and Ella)

UPDATE 4: Before they got her in to do the shunt, her vitals improved and she stopped vomiting. They postponed the surgery. My brother says: "Ella is up and happy. No surgery so far. Sounds like they want to wait and see if her swelling goes down today. Waiting, waiting, waiting some more. We would really like to avoid the shunt if we can, so we're trying to be patient."

Artistic

My grandma spent much of her life as a painter and seamstress, my mother is a pianist...we have some creative and artistic genes in our blood somewhere. I'm neither a painter or a pianist, but have always been inspired by art and would love to be in art class daily if there was such a thing. I try to make cards when I can, sit down with my kids to make crafts, and enjoy the work of many photographers (and take the odd picture myself) etc. I love to try to make things, but mostly I just dream about making things.
My sister has lately done more than just think about doing artsy things, she sat down one day and decided that she would learn to sew. And "sew" she does!

She just launched her new website made by anna where you can look at her newest creations. They are so hot off the press that I haven't been able to see them in person yet! but look forward to seeing them at Christmas. My dad went up to visit with her and was quite impressed with the quality of her work. Good job, Anna!!
Be sure to check it out!

Life is good....just a reminder.

I think sometimes we get so caught up in the things that "aren't happening" and the things that "didn't happen" and forget about all the things that ARE.
I have so many things in my life right now to be happy about.

This weekend a little boy in our Awana club, who was attending the Christian school at our church, was killed in a car accident (along with his great-grandma). His mom is left alone. She was single with him as her only child. I can't imagine the pain. Please pray for her...Shauna, while we also count our blessings.

The sun has come out

When they are sweet, they are really really sweet.

Latches

This is something that I thought my kids would all love. Especially around age 2. This one is by Melissa and Doug. I saw it in the store the other day and thought maybe I could go to the hardware store and make myself one of these for Shea. Not sure quite how, but I might try to come up with something.

For the budding artist...

One gift Riley got last year was a Bug Drawing book. It is really a great book for step-by-step instructions on how to draw. Liam tried doing the lady bug last night, and did quite well at just 5 years old.
Check it out...

(Trying to give you ideas, people...Christmas is coming!!)

See you on the Moon!

This is a really good kids CD that doesn't sound like those annoying kids CD's that you get to hear over and over again.
Check it out...

1. Alan Sparhawk - Be Nice to People With Lice
2. Great Lake Swimmers - See You On The Moon!
3. Sufjan Stevens - The Friendly Beasts
4. Montag - Kiddo 1
5. Apostle of Hustle feat. The Husky's - 24 Robbers
6. Junior Boys - Max
7. Broken Social Scene - Puff The Magic Dragon
8. FemBots - Under The Bed
9. Montag - Kiddo 3
10. Glissandro 70 - Voices are Your Best Friend
11. Mark Kozelek - Leo and Luna
12. Detective Kalita - Baby Brother
13. Montag - Kiddo 2
14. Hot Chip - I Can't Wake Up
15. Kid Koala feat. Lederhosen Lucil - Fruit Belt
16. Montag - Bonne Nuit Etienne
17. Rosie Thomas - Faith's Silver Elephant

Borrrrrrrrinnnnnnngg

I know. This blog is really lacking content in a big way. It has just been a pretty miserable and long week I guess. I have been fighting a pesky head cold that just won't leave and that keeps me up at night coughing and leaving me wasted during the day. The days are dull and gray, and yet the boys are busy busy busy.
Greg is leaving for work again tomorrow for a couple of days which will make for even longer days, so I have been trying to rest up and nip this cold in the BUTT!

I haven't even taken a picture since Halloween and will be getting on that soon, I promise. Shea and Riley just got their hair cut today and are looking especially more like eachother and handsome. Liam is still covered in tattoos since his day as a pirate.

Are you getting excited about Christmas?! I am! Today we were at the mall shopping for my niece and happened to notice that the Fisher Price Nativity scene is right at Zellers. I could not find it in Canada last year at all! Also, the Lego Christmas advent Calendar was there too, which you can usually only get online! They are sort of "extra" items that are a bit of a splurge, so I'll see if we can swing it. I still haven't really decided what we are going to get the boys for Christmas. I was making a mental note the other day of things that I bought them last year, and which of them they still make use of. One thing I will definitely change this year is not spending money on stocking items. I am going to go to the thrift store over the next couple of weeks and stock up on all those discarded McD's toys and Hot Wheels...wash them off and stuff them in the stockings. They will be thrilled with that and a few chocolates. I know, I sound super cheap, but it's more a matter of not wanting to be wasteful. My boys are not suffering in the toy department, and they are all dressed much better than G or I will ever be! They will get one small gift from a cousin this year, and the rest of their gifts will be from us, so we have to save money somewhere! I'm trying to come up with something super creative to make for friends and family this year, any suggestions would be welcome!
Things we have done in the past...made chocolates, made cards (packs of 10 with envelopes), made rubs (to put on meat), made caramel popcorn, made ornaments....umm?? I need some new ideas. Anyone?!