Finally, drips off the eves

I started unloading all the photos off the camera's tonight and realized that between the two there are over 600 pictures. So, I have some editing to do. 

You may wonder why I am using both camera's. Well, I still carry the point and shoot in my pocket or bag since it is so handy and small.

Then when I am around the house and am up to lugging the heavy duty goody I use it. 

So there is a mixture of qualities but this is what is working for me these days.

Anyway, I will go through the photo's in batches from each camera. I know this will be a slight issue since there are similar photo's on both but...blah...blah...blah......

I don't even know why I am saying all this. Let's get on with the post already!

A few days ago it was -40C and we wondered if spring would ever come. The old frost bite patches on my cheeks burned when I went out and I could hardly stand the minute it took to get from the house to the truck.

On top of this I was having to suck in my gut the best I could and arch my back to get my zipper done up on my winter coat. 

So today when I finally looked out the window I saw water pouring off the eves and puddles on the road I was so excited.

Sweeeeeeet!

I pulled the inner shell out of my coat and went to zip it up.

It did not happen.

I hope spring is here for good because I don't fit my coat anymore. Not even close.

I pulled out my fall/early spring jacket and managed to get it zipped up, rather snuggly.

I am sure I looked hilarious but it worked to get me out of the house.

The kids were skeptical and granted they should have been. We only made it out 3 or 4 times all winter. Did you know we had a record of over 60 days with below -30C weather this winter?

I cannot even imagine what it must be like in the colder parts of the world. Those people must be tough! My hat is off to them because I was going nuts!

So with today's weather I couldn't wait to get out and begged and pleaded with the kids to come out and play.  They really weren't sure though. They stood at the window looking at the puddles and the dripping icicles then went back to playing.

Finally I dug out their fall jackets and then they got excited. It only took minutes and they were out the door to see if it was really that nice.

It was! Ethan had an issue with the glare off the snow and I wished I had dug out their sunglasses. 

However it did not hold them back from exploring and playing and soaking up hours of gloriously warm sunshine.

We walked to the playground, went for Slurpee's, splashed in puddles, dug in the snow and swung on the swings in the back yard.

The feeling of getting out and not having to worry about frozen fingers, toes or snot was liberating. Intoxicating! 

I just hope it keeps on melting like this. 

Then again I think I say that every year and we always manage to get another dump or two of snow and bad weather. I don't care though, I know spring is around the corner.....even if it takes until the middle of July for all the snow in the front yard to melt.

Day one of the melt is on and it has lifted my spirits higher than I though it ever could.

Happy spring!

Not feeling so glowy

Obviously I have to stop saying I am back. I keep falling off the blog wagon so I think until after this baby comes I am just going to say that whatever happens when it does will.

OK, I have now sat here thinking about how to really start this post for.....well, way too long. I am usually spilling over with stuff to say. 

I started writing about how tired and unmotivated I have felt lately, how messy our house is and how I feel overwhelmed with it.

 

Then I was going to share reno photo's but we are still working on it so now I don't know where to go with this.

My thoughts are just way to jumbled right now to get anything out properly so I think I'll just run through some photos and do my best.

Keeping busy and distracted is something we have been thriving on.

Magnets were on Kaitlyn's mind so we dug out magazines, glue, glass stones and  polymer clay.

Little people for little people.

Painting is always on our list as well. I think I have splatters on most of my clothes.  To tell the truth I used to worry  about this and wanting to look more put together when I go out but now I have come to terms with it and I know that it is really just a part of who I am.

This painting is now in the coffee shop, a replacement for the one that sold last week. 

Going in for tea when I have dropped off paintings is a treat the kids love.

However it doesn't last long since they think that exploring the shop is more fun then sitting and sipping.

Belly shot. 28 weeks.

Kaitlyn loves to craft and spends a large part of her day coming up with creations. One of the things she brought to me were these "finger clothes."

Ethan gets in on the crafting a bit too but would rather do puzzles, play trucks or scribble. 

Last week Dave (a.k.a. Cableman869) took us out for a treat. An afternoon at the spa.

After soaking and splashing for a few hours in the pool we headed down to the dining room for dinner. Kaitlyn fell asleep half way through her meal, Ethan faked it.

It was really an awesome surprise treat, and what I want to say is ''Thank you" to Dave. I haven't been showing him enough how much I appreciate him.

Hormones are messing with my moods and I just don't do or say what I should. I am just not one of those glowy  radiant pregnant women. Rather I am sore and moody. 

But Dave really pulls through and picks up were I cannot and deals with my moods. I cannot thank him enough.

I guess that is it. I am off to sort through my thought. Sorry for the boring post, I really am just not myself tonight. Night all!

March-ing on

We are feeling better. Finally. Sick for  a few weeks and it felt like months. My heart truly goes out to those who really struggle with illness. We had chest infections and head colds and fevers and it did us in. Landed us flat out on the couch and had us begging Dave for every need.

He happened to have the week off with plans of getting his work truck fixed and the basement done.

He cared for us non stop and worked in the few moments were weren't groveling at his feet.

I cannot say enough for what he did.

In the midst of all this I got a call with an invitation do do a show for a month and a half in a trendy new coffee/tea house.

It was something right up my alley and I worked to pull some paintings together that I thought would fit the space.

So if any of you are interested in checking them out let me know and I can pass on directions.

The owners are fantastic people, have a small family of their own and work really hard, they are impossible not to like and have really pulled off a modern and fun place to sit and sip.

Thank you Kenny and Camille for the invitation!

In other art news I have been meaning to share the final results of the big roll of canvas I was working on.

This is the final three paintings. Finished and shipped off to Texas.

Each one measures around 3 x 4.5 feet.

Another three the same size but completely different are now in the deciding and approving process. Long story about all that. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Back to the last few weeks. Ethan was the first to get sick and while he lounged around Kaitlyn enjoyed playing alone with her babies.

However Ethan just seemed to get sicker and sicker and after a few days we could hear that the cold had moved into his lungs.

We ended up in the clinic to see if he needed antibiotics and they sent us to see a pediatrician at the hospital for chest x-rays and blood work.

Dave and Kaitlyn kept us endlessly entertained while we waited for the results.

Finally before getting sent back home with prescriptions the Dr decided to stick Ethan on a ventilator to get the junk in his lungs broken up.

Back home Kaitlyn started to feel sick and we tried to keep her spirits up with home made paper dolls with brad joints. The legs, arms, and head move.....so they can dance.

Ethan got in on the fun for a few minutes.

However  despite trying to have fun we kept going down hill.

And soon we were all just laying around with kleenex boxes and tea.

It had been a slow steady recovery this week but at our follow up appointment we found that Ethan really wasn't over his infection and he went onto a slightly stronger antibiotic.

Next day he was covered in huge hives.

Back to the Dr. we went. This time we got another drug and it is doing the trick.

He is bouncing back, and I think finally feeling more normal. 

As a whole we are getting back into the swing of our daily indoor winter life.

Surprisingly it has been a pretty good winter other than this one sick spell. The cold outside is there but it could be worse. I really feel for those who have it bitterly cold and feel that I should be smacked for the times that I have whined.

Sure it gets cold here but it is not like we are floating around on ice burgs. We are not wearing seal skin coats and boots to keep warm. Really, although I love the heat I do regret ever complaining about the cold. I do get down in the winter and wish we could be out riding bikes and splashing in the pool but I need to focus on all of the things we can do indoors that I wish I could find time to do in the summer. 

Refocusing has been on the top of my list lately.

I know how much we affect our children by what we say and do and  this is what is driving me.

Change baby!

We'll see if I can keep it up. I think being married to Dave really helps. He just doesn't whine. 

Anyway, here is something way more interesting.

The baby belly.

26-27 weeks.

I am glad to be back....again. Seems this is what I do lately.

Thank you all for the calls, prayers, e-mails and tweets.....oh and mom, great cookies and muffins!

We are definitely feeling better! 

Next up.....the basement reno.

I hope you are having a great weekend!