E.D. Whitbread, PhD

Today we graduate from pre- school; tomorrow from Harvard.
Time seems to fly by just that fast.

Ethan has enjoyed every day at preschool and we are all very sad to see it end. Mrs. B was fantastic and has now officially set the bar at a practically unattainable height for any future educator of my son.
If you have the opportunity to take you child to her pre-school, you should seriously consider it.

Yes, I know it is only pre-school but it was a big deal because it is yet another milestone in our lives and Mrs. B went all out for these kiddies. She loves them very much and they, her.
It was fun and sad all at the same time.

So, yet another chapter in our lives is o'er. Mrs. B, thanks for your unbelievable ability to teach these kids and I will always be indebted to you for the amazing influence you have had on my son, and by extension, us. Thanks again.

So what will I do with him now?

There's good news and....

bad news.

The good - Dad's angiogram went well and they have discovered the problem
The bad - He has to go back in 2-3 weeks to have the angioplasty done because they didn't have a bed for him to stay overnight.

At least I'll be there for the next round. There is a blockage of about 70% in the right artery that needs fixin' so in goes a balloon.

So let's tally up the hardware of the heart: triple bi-pass (one of which spanned two blockages), 3 or 4 balloons, 2 stints (?), and a lot of gold ;-) Good thing he has a big heart!

I tried to explain a little of what Grampy was having done to Ethan, saying that the doctor's put a tube with a camera in Grampy's heart to see if everything is okay and now they have to put a balloon in to make it all better.
Ethan's Funny Quote of the Day:
"What the heck? Like a real balloon? Like the shiny Nemo balloons at Safeway?"


He then proceeded to say "I sure hope Grampy is okay."
Too cute.

no words required

I'm a Daddy's Girl.......

...and proud of it.
I am the second born in my family and was the 'boy' that they never got. I played sports, dug in the dirt, caught bugs, liked cars & trucks, and bonded well with my dad. He read me books at night, brushed my hair, was super fun at parties, Christmas Day, Easter and Halloween, he called me "joybells", took me on trips, bought me my first car (amongst countless other things), chased boyfriends down the street, walked me down the aisle (then performed the ceremony), and now is a Grampy to my boys; one of which is named after him.

He taught me to laugh, love, and live - not by telling me but by showing me. He is a Godly man who loves his family, works hard, is humble enough to admit when he's wrong (which is never!), and always puts others first. He'd eat beans and weiners for a week to afford something for one of his girls! He now has two sons by marriage, whom he loves and respects and has threatened them within every inch of their lives, three grand-daughters and two grand-sons.
I've said before that I have the best dad in the world and because of him, I have high expectations of the men in my life, and the men my boys will be. Their wives will be lucky.

With all this in mind, pray for my dad and me while he undergoes more heart procedures on Monday. I need to know he will be okay.

Love you, Daddy!

Our new addition

The new addition to our family comes home on Friday.
We will no longer be a one-car family. THANK THE LORD!
We have been very fortunate to have managed thus far with the generous help of friends (thanks, Tan) but to go from having two cars to one hasn't been a good time. We bit the bullet, took the plunge, jumped in with both feet, whatever cliche you would choose, and bought a new car. Even though I will be gone for 6 weeks in 3 weeks, Darrin just couldn't pass up the good deal. We've been 3 months without the other car (quick recap - Darrin hit a white school bus, twice, and wrote off the car that cost us nothing) and it was a long 3 months. We even had friends looking for cars for us.
Darrin is just glad to have his freedom back.
I'm glad to have my van back.
The bank is glad we have a line of credit back.
Everyone's happy.
Anyone need a ride?

Mind your Peas and Q's

Aidan tried peas a couple of days ago so I knew that the next dirty (aren't they all dirty?!) diaper was bound to be a doozie. So, in preparation, I had lotsa wipes and lotsa interest from Ethan. So, I open the diaper and sure enough, it was a doozie and definately peas. So, I said "Oh, yuck. Peas!" to which Ethan promptly placed his finger in the air, waving it back and forth, informing me that "No Mom, that's not pee's, that's poops!"
Thanks, son.

Reality Bites!

Back to reality - snotty noses, picky eaters, whiney cries. Yes, we came home after all. Dinner was fantastic and the company and conversation even better. I have a great husband and excellent friends. Cheers to the Presleys, Haskeys and Lobbs - I love you guys!
Actually our reality is better than any dreamworld because it is actually happening. Over the snotty noses are big, innocent, inquisitive eyes; the picky eaters make family meal times interesting and the whiney cries break the silence and are just another reason to hug your children and to put them to bed early!!
Time to plan the next date night. It's nice when your choice becomes the restuarant and not the person to take. I'll be married for 9 years next month and I couldn't nor wouldn't choose a different date.
(Besides, he reads this stuff)
I love you, D-Dog ;-)

Datenight

We have a babysitter and we are going for supper - yippee!!
Thank God for A.K and Tim. They love to spend time with the boys and the boys, well primarily Ethan, loves to spend time with them. We bought a "lightsaver" especiallly for Tim today so he and Ethan can play Star Wars. He's been bouncing off the walls all day.
So, we are headed out to Japanese Village (it's awesome, awesome) for an evening of kid-free dining.
If we come home, I'll blog later or tomorrow.
If we don't, pray for A.K and Tim.
Downtown, HERE WE COME!

Shame, Shame, Double Shame

Remember that phrase from like, elementary school? Well, I'm not using it because of any crushes I have (Matthew McConneghey, J.T (you know who you are)), but for the fact that I haven't blogged since Monday! Shame, shame, double shame :-(
I'd like to say I've been busy, but not really. I've worked and had an Epicure party - that's it!
I haven't even done any housework mainly because it's been so hot and partly because I hate it.
It's been great sitting outside with the kids, wearing flip flops all day long, and holding the bangs back with sunglasses without people asking why I'm wearing sunglasses. Loving it!
That's it for today. Ethan spent the day playing with Lil' Lobbster so he hasn't really said much to me today. I'm sure I'll have something to quote tomorrow.
Actually, I'd like some suggestions of workout tunes to download onto my mp3 player. Whaddya got?

Mother's Day, MP3 & McDonalds

Well, I had a great Mother's Day. It commenced with breakfast in bed, followed by some gift opening. I was given an mp3 player and a gift cert. to Evelyn Charles. I guess now I can listen to music while getting my pedicure. In addition to blogging, now I can spend hours looking for music on the computer! At church we were given a plant and a card from our kiddies and in it, Ethan drew a picture of McDonalds - his favorite thing to do with his mommy. Then we went to lunch with friends, I had a nap, we went swimming, and then over to friend's to watch the Oiler's game and Survivor. Another great day.
The inadequecies that I often feel as a mother get buried under the overwhelming love and appreciation that I receive from my son and husband.
But...speaking of...my baby has fallen asleep in the jolly jumper. I really should put him to bed properly.
Ethan's Touching Quote of the Day:
"Ever since I met my mommy when I was a little baby, she's been my favorite!"
(as told to his daddy while making breakfast)

A few of my favorite things

It was a good night. It was a late night but a good night. We were at a meeting at the church until about 9:30 sothe rugrats needed to get to bed in the biggest way. So, we put the boys to bed and then it began.....one of my favorite things....chillin' on the couch with my hubby with my favorite drink and my favorite show. The only thing missing was a bag o' plain Lay's potato chips and a pedicure.

My favorite beverage at this time is getting quite a handle on it - not for the amature. A triple venti, sugar-free vanilla, half-sweet, non-fat, caramel macchiato. It warms me up inside just thinking about one. What's sad it that I am to the point where even a triple (3 shots of espresso) doesn't even keep me awake ;-)
What was I watching? Only the best show on TV - The Office! I LOVE THAT SHOW and the season finale was fantastic. Never have I been so enamoured with a cast and invested in a tv relationship than with Jim and Pam. Wasn't that ending awesome?? Both Darrin and I were literally sitting up straight with huge grins on our faces which quickly turned to disappointment after realizing that we now have to wait until the fall to see what Pam does. Now that's Must See TV :-)

Ethan's Quote of My Day:
"I love you so, so, so much...even more than chocolate milk!"
(If you know who much Ethan loves chocolate milk, you'd be touched too!)

I can't figure out how to move pictures where I want them.
Maybe I can't.

A little of not much

My problem about complaining about infrequent blog updates from everyone else is that now I have to and I just am not that interesting. This post will just be a little bit of not much.

We had a student from the Booth Bible College stay with us yesterday. It was really quite interesting to learn about him and his home country of Haiti. It was also interesting to hear his perspective on our country, having just lived here for a couple of years. I've never doubted that being Canadian was a privilege but we often take our freedoms and global advantage for granted. He was great with our kids too and in true Ethan form, he was able to show him the 'dark side' of pre-schoolers by throwing a fit at the supper table. Maybe I was being irrational by not letting him play with his "light-saver" and Dominoes at the table ;-)

On to another thought...
Ever since I was 18 weeks pregnant with Aidan and found out what we were having (besides a baby!) I have heard the comments about "needing to have a girl now" from an exorbitant amount of people. Why is it that having two boys doesn't seem like a complete family to people? To me, 2 boys was the ideal (even before that's what we were given). There are enought girls out there for other people with much more patience and understanding to raise. God gives us what we can handle therefore I have boys.

I don't have a quote for you today but I will share a story.
Here you go....

"A Day at the Zoo"

by Ethan Whitbread - age 4.5

Once, when I was only 2, I went to the zoo with my Grampa and we climbed up a giant hill for a long, long time and there was a T-rex and it was real but it was sorta nice only it had big teeth and it started to bite on my shirt and my Grampa had a marble in his pocket and he threw it at the T-rex and then it got dead.

The End

The Sunday Sacrifice

Once again, I am left at home with sick kids on a beautiful Sunday morning. The sacrifice of a mom. At least I am feeling okay this time. Aidan is croupy and Ethan's asthma has been quite bad the past couple of days. I am preparing for guests for lunch (as previously planned) and took a couple of minutes to post. I am curious for some feedback on the various church services that were attended this morning. What was the overall "theme" and/or sermon topic? Did anything out of the ordinary happen? Was it enjoyable or less than enjoyable? (Caution to those who attend the same church as I, our 'pastor' may read this:-) )
I'll be checking to see if there are any duplicates in topic/theme/message. Just curious.
Ciao!

How things change

I remember a time when a nice day consisted of making a plan to go out to do something. Maybe meeting up with friends for coffee and dessert on a nice patio somewhere, maybe head over to the mall to get some shopping done, maybe even a haircut or a pedicure. How has this changed for me? Those are still nice things however I have now added a new description of a nice day to the list of many - staying home to get housework done! Am I messed up or what?! Darrin took the car, the kids slept in, I organized my pantry, Ethan's colouring stuff, cleaned the kitchen & nook, family room, and got laundry started. I then made Leek & Potato soup from scratch. It was a nice day. Weird. I know the housewives/mom's out there know what I mean.
On another note, I know there may be some people that may argue with me on this, but I have the best dad in the world. You wouldn't argue that I think I have the best dad but you may think that yours is the best in the world. You are wrong.
So, if you like potato soup, the Best of Bridge recipe is very good. I hope Aidan has a better appetite than Ethan. He seems to so far but his selection of food is quite limited. He does chow down though which is giving him a robust figure. "Moose" - as he has been affectionately (?) called by Nathan- will easily drink a full 8 oz bottle, followed by a full jar of veggies and some fruit. Maury, here we come!
Ethan has had a few choice comments since the last post but I will leave you with this one.
Ethan's Funny Quote of the Day:
"I'm so, so, so brave. But not as brave as those people up in Heaven. You know, Jesus & God!"
This is an improvement in his humility seeing as last night he figured himself to be stronger than everyone, even "those guys".
We'll work on it.

Primetime

I thought I would take advantage of the fact that the boys aren't up yet and do a post. Something struck me yesterday as Ethan was singing "Pharoah, Pharoah..." It's amazing how much their little brains are like sponges - they absorbe everything. They might only be 3 when they start in Sunday School but messages are being received and one some level, understood. We need to value our youth workers and encourage them to continue doing what they are doing - they are influencing our children. However, they don't really have filters yet because later in the day, after having the radio on in the car, he was singing "Shut-up, Shut-up.." which is a bad word in our house. I suppose there is going to be good and bad choices all their lives (on much larger scales). I guess it's up to us and the influences in their lives that will form how they make those decisions, both positive and negative. The parenting responsibility is quite overwhelming sometimes - way beyond them drawing on themselves and being "booger-snot-noses" (Ethan's term). Thank God that He is there to help us.
I hear stirring upstairs so I must go and start this parenting adventure. Chin up to all those parents, soon-to-be parents, and hope-to be parents out there. The rewards far outweigh the challenges!
No quote for today but keep posted for future developments!

well-kept, well-mannered, and well misrepresented

4-year olds are the easiest to keep occupied. You just give them a pen and paper, a box of kleenex and you're set. What a second - what is the paper and the kleenex for????
Honestly, do you think he'd get like this on my watch? I will deny it anyway. (If you can, zoom in for best viewing!)
There is never a dull moment.
Gotta say, I'm ultra nervous about a "Battle of Alberta". It's painful when the Flames lose but especially painful when/if they lose to Edmonton. Darrin grew up with that, cheering for the Flames while living in Edmonton. If you know his childhood friends, you can imagine the relentless taunting. Yet he never waivered in his loyalty. Go Flames Go!
Once again, Ethan's Funny Quote of the Day (and it's only 10:09 am):
"Mom, where did we get this blanket? From the Chinese?"
-no explanation because I don't have one :-)

Nothing new

I feel like I need to be pregnant, moving, or have learned a new skill in order to have anything to say. I have just spent my whole naptime commenting on other peoples blogs and have noticed the afore mentioned trend. It is however good to connect to all sorts of people, some of which I haven't seen or spoken to in years. Very cool.
And yes, by naptime I do mean mine. Ethan is at school and Aidan is sleeping. If you have known me any length of time at all, you will know that I am a napper. If I don't answer the phone, I'm napping. So for blogging to have taken over, this is huge! I actually have about 40 minutes before I have to get Ethan and Darrin - that's a decent nap right there.
Yes, we are still down to one car after Darrin hit a giant, white, school bus - TWICE! At least it was with the crap car. Thank goodness we know a member of "the fuzz". No ticket! That would have been some major salt in an already open and quite sore wound. Thanks Uncle Policeman!Speaking of the police, I will leave you with Ethan's Funny Quote of the Day:
"Girls can't be policemans. Where's Uncle Chris?"
(upon entering preschool seeing a female police officer who was there for a presentation)