It's not Whitebread!!!

I have so much to say........

2011-06-01T21:18:00.003-06:00

.....but nothing really to speak of.

This week at work we celebrated International Pickle Week. We served a variety of pickles (and dill pickle chips) to our patients, had pickle facts, and picked our pickle preference. Dill was the winner! It's all a part of our "Barnett's Bizarre, Weird, Wild and Wacky Random Reasons for Revelry".

It's got me to thinking....

you need to find a reason to celebrate every day. Sometimes the little things have a big impact on your day, and dare I say life?!

Without pickles, America may not have been discovered! Columbus had them on board because they would last the long journey and fed them to his crew to prevent scurvy.

There have been days this year in which finding anything to be happy about was a difficult task but once I did, it made a huge impact on my outlook and relationships. It sounds almost silly once I think about all of the things and people I have been blessed with but sometimes you just gotta get over yourself and see past the crap.

So, in just celebrating pickles helps turn that frown upside-down. Plus, they are yummy!

Things are pretty good.

D's blood pressure is through the roof and therefore so is mine!

But did you know pickles are low in cholesterol, calories, fat and can help lower blood pressure?

YAY PICKLES!!

Hmm....

2011-02-12T20:46:00.003-07:00

Its discouraging to realize you're not as strong as you thought you were.

"I can't get no......

2011-01-14T10:37:00.002-07:00

.....satisfaction"
- Mick Jagger

"He that hopes to look back hereafter with satisfaction upon past years must learn to know the present value of single minutes, and endeavour to let no particle of time fall useless to the ground."
- Samuel Johnson

"There is no greater challenge than to have someone relying on you; no greater satisfaction than to vindicate his expectation."
- Kingman Brewster

"I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best."
- Oscar Wilde

"Learn to be satisfied. It is just as easy as being dissatisfied and much more pleasant."
-Jacob de Jager

"The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: Be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge."
- Elbert Hubbard

"If everyone was satisfied with himself, there would be no heroes."
- Mark Twain

Lord, open my eyes to see your countless blessings.

Revenge

2011-01-11T20:41:00.003-07:00

Ok, so I'm addicted to Angry Birds.
I have way too many things to do around my house and for my job and for my family NOT to spend even 5 minutes on that stupid game. Yet I do.
AND......I can't beat level 6-15.
AND......my 5 year old is better at it than me.
AND.....I dont even like birds. (Boomerang Bird is NOT my friend)

But, silly as it is, this game has taught me two things:
1. I've been right all along - birds are angry and evil
2. Revenge and anger doesn't pay off. More of you dies to get nothing of value in return.

But deep down, I like seeing the birds fail.

Mwah ha ha!!

(Plus, I WILL NOT be beaten by a pre-schooler!)

But seriously, don't be vengeful or angry. You'll be ruffling your feathers and dive-bombing stone walls - and you still won't get your eggs back.

Wristbands

2010-11-22T12:30:00.002-07:00

From the simple yellow wristband with the words "LIVE STRONG" on it, to a variety of other colours and reminders, we've discovered the power of a simple physical reminder.

Create your own wristband. What word or words would you need on yours?

I'd have both wrists full and anklets too!

Preach it, Samwise Gamgee

2010-11-11T09:19:00.002-07:00

It's not likely I'll get very much response (since its been a year since posting) however I have a question still.

Which is worse - the battle itself or sitting on the edge of one, knowing it's inevitable and you can't do anything about it?

All's quiet....

2009-11-19T13:47:00.003-07:00

It is 1:45 pm and it is beautiful. Soup is simmering on the stove, meat is marinating in the fridge, and the sun is shinng through onto the kitchen table where I sit in silence. Nothing but the sound of me typing. Kids are in school and I have about 40 minutes until I leave to go get them.
I think I'll leave early, fill up the truck with gas, get a coffee and sit in more silence on the parking lot of St. Andrew's Preschool.
Once 2:45 hits the silence will be broken - with the lovely sound of children's voices and laughter - telling me all about their day (actually, I have boys. All I get is "good" or "nothin'").
I am going to sit in silence now.
I love the sound of silence.
I hear a lot in silence.

Hoarders

2009-11-10T11:43:00.004-07:00

Does anyone watch the show "Hoarders" on t.v.? It is crazy the amount of stuff that people keep around.
I have never considered myself to be a pack rat or being overly emotionally attached to much (my years of moving around has done that to me) but I was shocked at myself today.
Here is a list of the contents of my two purses combined:

mints (from Father's Day at the church)
4 bobby pins
2 bag clips
a ring
map of downtown Washington, D.C.
4 popcan tabs
hitman ticket stubs
a blue hospital card for "baby boy Whitbread"
scrapbooking ribbon
4 pens
3 pencils
2 ipods
1 set earbuds
1 set blackberry earbuds
6 tubes of lipgloss
1 lipstick
Costco card (reported lost and since replaced)
2 hair buckles
1 button
2 flash drives
1 popcorn kernel
1 Starbucks gift card (probably empty)
3 dimes
2 pennies
glue stick
bottle of Tylenol
4 tubes of hand cream
1 230 ml tub of body lotion
granola bar
purple skeleton ring
toothpicks
"J" shaped sticky notepad
2 picture hanging wall hooks
spoon
fork
nametag
2 packs Whitestrips
keychain
nail file
3 panty liners
1 tampon
hand sanitizer
toothbrush
handmade Halloween bracelet
3 napkins
1 hair elastic
bunch of receipts
jewelry order form
church bulletins
pay stubs
movie tickets
H1N1 information form
good-bye card
Old Navy coupon
R.O.E.
1 wallet

I'm disgusted with myself but I probably would have done well on "Let's Make a Deal".
I hope that by exposing my problem someone else can get help too. You can do it. Open your purse. Be free. Purge. You're not alone.

check, half-check, and no check at all

2009-10-30T09:20:00.003-06:00

1. Get flowers for preshool - check
2. tidy and organize my scrapbooking room - check
3. sort through my music and the music at the church - half-check
4. purge the kid's toys (donate, discard, or destroy) - no check
5. get passports for the boys - half-check
6. fix the Mac - check
7. fix the receiver - no check (Darrin has it so...)
8. find a costume - check
9. tidy Darrin's den and set-up office space for me - half-check (no space for me)

I did get to sleep in, volunteer in Aidans class, visit some friends, and just plain ol' relax!
Here's to another great week! I'm enjoying this a bit too much I think!
Maybe I should start looking for a job......

Lists and challenges

2009-10-19T09:06:00.004-06:00

I am documenting my task list so I have some accountability. I am now considered a stay-at-home mom (with a live-in nanny). How ridiculous does that sound?! I have absolutely no excuses for being unproductive and helpful to those around me. Today, my first day of "unemployment" started with driving the Ethans to school and babysitting Kristen. My baby, Aidan, just stumbled downstairs after a great sleep-in (its not 9:10am) so I should get him some breakfast - after I'm done blogging, of course! I will try to walk or work-out of some kind everyday and include a little of the following:

1. Get flowers for preshool
2. tidy and organize my scrapbooking room
3. sort through my music and the music at the church
4. purge the kid's toys (donate, discard, or destroy)
5. get passports for the boys
6. fix the Mac
7. fix the receiver
8. find a costume
9. tidy Darrin's den and set-up office space for me

That's this weeks plan. Let's see how many items I can check off by Monday of next week.
Thank you to all of my friends and family who have supported me through this significant change in my life. If you know me, you will know how difficult this has been but how amazingly liberated I feel! Now continue to pray for me and support me still - many of you will know also that for me to stay at home could potentially be a bigger challenge!! Here we g0.........

The winds of change

2009-10-12T12:46:00.002-06:00

You know the winds of change that I felt blowing in a little while ago? Well, they swept me over. I'm leaving my job of 6 3/4 years. My last day will be Friday so I am still going in everyday making it seem not quite real yet. I have been sad but settled about the decision all at the same time. I am looking forward to new adventures (no idea what they are yet) and will enjoy some time of rest and maybe even travel! I dont doubt that it will be a sad week though.
Maybe I'll go to law school or write a book or be a flight attendant. Chances are I will continue to be a dental assistant. Awesome employee anyone??

Move over, Ron McLean

2009-10-03T10:24:00.002-06:00

It's exciting to see how happy my boys are that hockey season has started. No, not playing hockey but NHL hockey. Although we were forced to watch the Toronto/Montreal game first, I had some proud moments as a Canadian mom.
At the start of the game, Ethan quickly noticed that the Leafs were wearing their white jerseys yet they were playing at home. Pretty intuitive, I thought.
THen, he recognized the name Camelerri and said, "Is that Michael Camelerri? Why isn't he playing for us (Flames) this year?".
Also impressive.
Then a little while later he noticed Hal Gill to which he commented "That guy played for Pittsburg last year!".
I recognize that this is the start of a slippery slope of an obsessive hockey fan but eventually his wife will have to deal with him!
Anyhoo, gotta run. Darrin needs to check his fantasy hockey draft.........

It's the gum!

2009-09-24T20:53:00.002-06:00

What do you like about your dental/orthodontic office?
I seriously want to know why, when people have a choice, do they go AND STAY with their dental health care provider.
We had a staff meeting today and reviewed some of the things we do well, and some of the things we don't do as well - all in the effort to strive toward something better.
We put the question out there for our patients to answer, "What do you like about our office?".
The number one answer was:
"we get gum."
Great. Big help.

So, tell me. What DO you like about your dentist or orthodontist? (And yes, they should be two different people!!)

Pondering

2009-09-22T13:01:00.001-06:00

Oh to be financially independant............

Rich or Handy?

2009-09-14T14:03:00.003-06:00

If you had the choice, what would you be - rich or handy?
My feeling is that if you are not one, you need to be the other.
Which leaves us in a prediciment 'cause we are definately neither!
There is so much that needs to be done around our house and also so much that I want to have done around our house. For now, those things will remain as is.

I asked Ethan that same question.

Me - "Ethan, what would you rather be - rich or handy?"
Ethan - "What's handy?"
Darrin - "Being able to fix stuff on your own - NOT like daddy"
Ethan - "Oh. I think rich 'cause then you get a big house and a nice boat for free."
Me - "Well, hon, it's not free"
Ethan - "Oh right. But if I were rich, I'd have a thousand dollars and I could buy whatever I want"

We still might tackle our fireplace on our own though (and call on our handy or rich friends to bail us out)!

C.R.A and Me

2009-09-09T20:17:00.003-06:00

I've been audited.

I always thought that you needed to have money to get audited.

Apparently not.

My childcare expenses are under review so I have to provide a copy of Bernadette's T4 (which I created) to prove HOW EXPENSIVE KIDS ARE!!!

I've also just finished writing all my post-dated cheques for the remainder of the year to the loverly Canada Revenue Agency. Employers pay a lot to have employees and employees pay a lot to work. I'm sure there is a social studies lesson in democratic and socialist governments here but I'll refrain. At least B will get some EI back soon! Is that my silver lining in all of this?!

Anyhoo, we had a great weekend away camping with friends. It really was great. Old friends, new friends, all friends are now better friends, no fights, no serious injuries - all the markings of a great weekend. And I learned a lot about cattle ranching. I may have come across as annoying and dumb but I am truly ignorant about the whole farming industry. How are you gonna learn if you don't ask? I might even go help during calfing/calving season but I'll leave the "bedazzling" to the pros :-)

Momma Bear

2009-09-02T18:02:00.002-06:00

So I went "momma bear" on a kid at the playground today.
I wish I didn't.
Ethan was embarrased (I think) but at least he got his hat back.

Where's the line there? My son wasn't defending himself, and I happened to be there. Should a parent speak up? I wasn't rude but I did strongly suggest that he keep his hands to himself and if its not his, don't touch it.

I guess I'll have to chat with Ethan to see if he got a wedgie for having a loser mom today.
My bad.

Accolades and Idiosyncrocies

2009-08-29T09:41:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was 'Meet the Teacher' day at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy, Ethan's school. Everything went well and at the end of the meeting she asked that we, as parents, write her a letter expressing anything we wanted her to know about our child. "Okay, great!" i thought - originally- then I starting to feel that it could be quite daunting. How much do I want her to know? So much of it she is certain to discover on her own (insert evil laugh here).

No, but seriously, how do you write a letter about your child without either praising him so much that he is put up on this high pedestal he can't do anything but fail and disappoint (I call this the Obama Complex) or sounding like you are defending and apologizing for his behaviour and personality?

I think I found the balance and ultimately she'll form her own opinions. In the meantime we'll pray for her and all the little kiddies under her influence.

I'm looking forward to school this year - both boys go in some capacity. Although that means more driving and more volunteering and more birthday parties (ugh!) they are excited. And as long as my kids are excited to go to school, I will be excited for them to go.

New gender

2009-08-25T19:28:00.001-06:00

"No Aidan, that's just for girls" - after he decided to don my bra.

"Well, you wear it and you're not a girl."

"I'm not?"

"Nope. You're a mom."

There you have it.

Bittersweet

2009-08-22T11:59:00.003-06:00

While I sit here outside of my trailer, looking over Pine Lake and the camp with the same name, I can't help but think about the future. That seems like a silly comment seeing as everything from this point on IS the future but seriously, I think a lot about the plans that I have for my life and that of my husband and boys. This camp is very special to our family and will probably play a significant role in the lives of my boys as well - Ethan can be a camper next year :S. I think about our years as Music Camp faculty and the years to come. I think about our next trailer. I think about where we will camp next. I think about our family time camping in genreral and how enjoyable that is - no other distractions or interferences - just us. I've read recently that the 2 of the best things you can do for your children is 1) give them time and 2) be a good wife. The key to being a good mother is being a good wife. Sometime I think we get that backwards (that's a discussion for another post).
There will come a day when the boys won't want to come camping with their parents. There may even come a day when they are camping with their own families (or their wive's families - again, a discussion for another post).
I received some terrible news yesterday about the passing of my friends baby at birth, a few days past her due date. I am reminded then of one very important and significant thing - the plans that WE have for our lives isn't necessarily THE PLAN. "For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord." BUT, it goes on to say, "plans to PROSPER you, NOT to harm you......".
So I have pondered and pondered and questioned and mused and I still don't get it. But maybe instead of spending so much time planning, I'll spend more time trusting. Clarity and understanding come with time and yet some things we aren't meant to understand at all. I guess that's part of trusting.....

2009-08-20T12:20:00.001-06:00

I should clarify. I'm am not having a crisis! I'm just looking for some excitement!!

2009-08-19T14:27:00.003-06:00

Well, I think I may try a little harder even though I am not completely sure why. I'm not even sure if my family still follows my "blog". Maybe I'll just use it as a venting system.

I feel like I am at a crossroads. I want to do something drastic. New job, or quit work altogether, new house (even though I can't leave my new kitchen!), something. I'll leave the baby thing to my friends. Suggestions? I know we should be content in everything and I'm not actually unhappy - I'm just ansy (?). Maybe an exchange trip to Dubai or Texas or something. WHat to do?! I just wanna stir things up. But how?

Here's a photo from the summer. Aren't my boys sweet?

At least I beat the one-year mark!

2009-05-11T12:33:00.002-06:00

This post is to just be able to say that I didn't go a whole year without blogging.

I guess I can't be considered a blogger anymore.

This is also to test to see how many people still check - just in case!

Okay, okay....

2008-06-21T23:21:00.002-06:00

so the "It's not Whitebread" Quarterly has turned into the semi-annual post.

I just can't keep up but I guess now with my dear friends moving I'll have to get back into the habit.

It is 11:26 on Saturday night. Just chillin' out in bed, waiting it see if Aidan will wake up again. He had roasted marshmallows tonight (courtesy of Uncle) and woke up with his bottom lip stuck to his chin! I should probably have washed him before putting him to bed but he fell asleep in the truck.

Last night was the reception for the new Homewoods at which I was the emcee. I have discovered t

hat I am too left-brained, time-dependant and anal retentive to do that comfortably. I was nervous but survived. Thanks for the honour, kids!

Not sure that my stress level has decreased much though. Only once the kitchen is done (we are in the middle of a reno), Jaymee is better, and I've gotten used to the Presleys being gone will it maybe level out. Only to be replaced by something else, I'm sure.

Nevertheless, there is always a silver lining to be found.

I'm not a fan of hide and seek though.

See you in August?!

If I've said it once, .....

2008-02-21T18:57:00.002-07:00

...I've said a million times - I have an addictive personality. As I sit here with my Starbucks (see?) watching a taped episode of Big Brother, a just can't get enough of that stupid show. Although the majority of it is against what we say we believe, I love it!!
No critisism please - I know there are stupid shows you watch too.

Forced Distraction

2008-01-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

I really don't have much to say.
I'm just doing this to haul my butt away from playing the Wii.
Damn addictive personality!

Crazy times

2007-11-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged since July. Life has been crazy and shows no sign of letting up.

This may turn out to be "It's Not Whitebread Quartely".

Anyhow, let's review what is new:

- Aidan is almost 2

- Ethan has started Kindergarten

- we bought a trailer and a new truck

- Darrin is an assistant principle

- I am now in a size 8; sometimes even a 6

- We have a new i-mac

Working full time with 2 kids and a husband with crazy hours makes life interesting.

A lot of women choose to stay home when their kids are small and go back to work once they are in school. I think the reverse is better - having kids in school is crazy busy! It's now that I want to be home.

Alas, keeping up with the Joneses keeps me a workin' girl. (Not that kind of workin' girl.)

See you all in February!

Enlightenment

2007-07-23T21:48:00.000-06:00

This has been a great holiday so far. Darrin was given an assistant principal job just before leaving for holidays which started everything off on a good note.

Even though it rained for 3 days in Penticton, we had a great time - beach days, vineyard tours, lobster boils and Settlers (Karri won again and didn't know it!).

We are now resting at Linwood House in Robert's Creek, B.C. I would encourage you all to look it up (linwoodhouseministries.org) or take a peak on my facebook groups (if you are a facebook friend, of course). These people live the passion that people write about. It is infectious and inspiring. They exude Christ's love in every aspect of their living in a very humble and practical way.

I also purchased a new camera and love it. I've included some of my favorites.

Enjoy!

There is a saying here on the wall that I find to be very powerful and epitomizes the feeling here. I hope you find inspiration from it as well.

"May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in." Mother Theresa

The verdict is in...

2007-06-20T19:32:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Lucky Charms:
they look, smell, and taste even more disgusting than it sounds.
Blech!

interracial cereal

2007-06-08T11:10:00.001-06:00

Ethan has now finished his box of Lucky Charms. Sometimes he would want cereal for supper and we couldn't figure out why. He just wanted the box emptied.
He was sooo excited to be done them because now, apparently, we get to go buy the Chololate Lucky Charms.
After swallowing the last bite yesterday he asked "Mom, can we go buy some more Luck Charms?"
-Sure Hon. I'll add it to my list.
"Mom, can we buy the chocolate Lucky Charms"
-Sure, but I think those would be gross.
"Well, the marshmallows are not chocolate, just the white pieces. Hey, do you think brown kids like normal Lucky Charms or just chocolate ones?"

I KID YOU NOT.

-Hon, I think all kids like all cereal. Who do you think eats Fruit Loops???

It's your friendly, neighbourhood ....

2007-06-03T21:15:00.000-06:00

and his nemisis - The Green Gobbler

quack, quack, quack

2007-05-28T13:40:00.001-06:00

more nothing

2007-05-24T12:37:00.000-06:00

I don't really have a lot to say. I will post pictures as soon as I either find my camera or buy a new one.
I did have extra laundry this week from Ethan trying to go pee with no hands!
Gotta get back to work.

Thanks, Uncle!

2007-05-01T20:40:00.000-06:00

1. Thanks for not holding me in the headlock for too long after showing this picture on the powerpoint to the whole church on Sunday.

2. For being careful with your words around my children.

After I shared my diet coke from Arby's with Ethan yesterday, he proceeded to ask me "Um, Mom. Do you have any coke that doesn't taste like crap? Do you remember when Uncle said that yesterday at the resturant?"!

Yes, I remember.

On another random note, I have come to the realization that I am too busy. So much so that I feel very disconnected from people. It feels like an unrewarding busy. It's the kind of busy where after all is said and done you don't feel any better as a person, wife, mom, or employee. Fred quoted someone on Sunday saying "If the devil can't make you sin big, he'll just make you busy.". This hit me hard tonight as I was looking at the blogs and I learned that a person that I work with every day just bought a house - a pretty significant purchase. AND I WORK WITH HER!

I need balance.....

and maybe some chips.

Nueva entrada

2007-04-05T20:11:00.000-06:00

Apparently that means "new post" in spanish!
Also, Nimrod is a real name down here and we've met another Jesus.
The weather is fantastic, the resort is lovely, and no, not everyone speaks english.
Yet another plus in J.T`s favour.

¡Hola!

¿Did the upside down stuff work?

Weird punctuation but great beaches. It balances out.

For those who don´t know, we are in Mexico!
Hmmm.....I wonder what "guardar como borrador means"?
I"ll choose publicar instead.
¡Buenos Noches!

What's New?

2007-03-12T20:42:00.000-06:00

I smashed the van and I got braces.

What I won't do to feel like a teenager again :-(

Whaaaaat? An update???

2007-02-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, folks. An update.

I wish that I had something interesting to tell you all or someting to account for being so busy but I really don't.

I work.

I know that stay-at-home moms work too (I was one of them) but when I was home, I blogged.

Now that I'm not, I don't.

That's all.

We did have lobster on the weekend and Aidan is FINALLY interested in walking.

Happy belated Valentine's Day, Family Day and Happy early St. Patrick's Day and Easter. (I should probably throw in Mother's Day too! Meh....)

Yeah for ...

2007-01-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

..the Flames.
..the Colts.
..all expenses paid holidays.
..triple venti, sugar-free vanilla, soy, extra-hot, caramel macciatto.
..sleeping children.

Happy Belated, Devo!
Sorry, Kris :-(
Chin up, K.T.
Welcome back, Faye.

Funny things to do on an elevator:
1) When it's quiet (like usual), open up your purse or bag, look in and whisper,"Have you got enough air in there?"!

Try it and let me know how it pans out for you.

A proud moment?

2007-01-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

I'll start by saying that at least he didn't call her fat!
But maybe by moving quickly aside, looking wide-eyed, and exclaiming "Whoa! You're ah.......big!" was probably just as bad, if not worse.
Luckily, his teacher was able to keep her composure........NOT!
Tsk, tsk, tsk Auntie!

Another funny thing:
I was watching the news last night and the reporter was interviewing people on the street, all bundled up, braving the winter storms across this country. All the typical answers were heard like "I hate the cold but you gotta dress warm" and "it sucks" and "I wish I lived in Florida" but the funniest, unexpected comment came from a young girl in Winnipeg. Not being strangers to all the wintery goodness this seasons provides, she said,"It's even colder than usual. I actually hate my ancestors for settling here!"
I laughed and laughed. Ah, the news. Is there better entertainment?

Noticable difference

2007-01-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

There has been an obvious change in the amount of blogging that I have been doing. How does anyone get a chance to blog during the day?

I resolve....

2007-01-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

.. to colour with my son more and to let him do it, even if it is outside the lines.
.. to organize my pantry
.. to take a baking class but to first replace the baking sheets I threw out because of burnt baking.
.. to be more affectionate (but only when it's welcomed)
.. to lose 10 pounds (the standard resolution)
.. to buy a bikini (but only after I loose 10 pounds)
.. to think before I speak and to realize that not everyone gets sarcasm
.. to intoduce sarcasm to those who don't get it. Not so much.
.. to call my parents before they call me wondering if I'm "still in the land of the living"
.. to acknowledge birthdays or maybe just take a memory class
.. to love more, to laugh more, to learn more, to relax more, to share more, to listen more (and talk less)

Happy New Year!

Twas the day after Christmas

2006-12-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

and all through the house

ran a hyper little 5 year old

shouting "Let's trap that mouse!"!

For those of you that are familiar with the game Mouse Trap, you'll know the excitement that I am talking about, especially when a little 5 year old boy is involved.

Be prepared to play if you come over.

Also, be prepared to lose.

Merry Christmas to all and to all, a good night.

Spot the Christmas travesty.

2006-12-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

The drive home

2006-12-08T15:59:00.000-07:00

The drive home from pre-school is always interesting. Ethan tells us stories about the day and pretty well sings the whole way home.
Today was different.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Then....

"Mom, you know that you and dad are on the naughty list, don't you?"

To which I replied, "Is that right? How come?"

"'cause daddy said "Shut-up" when I was little 4 and you speed!"

More silence.

Rubber Ducky, you're the one...

2006-11-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my baby. He is 1 today. Unbelievable.

The picture behind the story

2006-11-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

It was picture day at school and it was a Thursday. My kids used to go to Kirsten's on Thursdays. Notice I said "used to".

Anyway, I sent a shirt (which needed to be ironed but I knew Kirsten would be all over that without me even asking her to) and said, "Ethan will tell you how he wants his hair.". You see, sometimes he wants his hair flat, and sometimes he wants it spikey. I thought I would let him choose for the photoshoot.

He hadn't been in the habit of asking for a mohawk (or 'fauxhawk') so for it to be his first and only request when Auntie Kirsten asked him was a surprise to us all.

She obliged and voila....

I had to take a picture of the picture.

Thanks, K. I think it looks great!

Is there a connection?

2006-11-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

For us in the customer service industry (i.e. retail or medical/dental), we are convinced that there is a correlation between people's emotional and mental state and the weather, specifically a snow storm and a full moon (even though the latter isn't weather).
Why do all the whackos come out when the snow falls? Maybe it is just that people become whacko because the snow fell or the moon is full. It's crazy and in fact, I think it is making me whacko.

Also, is it unrealistic for us as dental personnel to expect our patients to arrive on time despite the weather? Should you not leave earlier if you expect your drive to be longer than usual?
Because we continue to accomodate patients that are late (so they don't get all whacko and create a scene), our schedule gets screwed up and we fall behind (at which time patients/parents get all whacko and create a scene). We take the patients that are on time in on time to reward their punctuality but if you are late, it is NOT unrealistic to have to wait. Have I turned to the other side and have therefore become totally insensitive to the patient? Maybe.
Just consider this:
When you go the to doctor/dentist/orthodontist etc. appreciate that they are trying their hardest to accomodate everyone and treat everyone with the same due care and that probably there is someone (might I suggest The Manager?) freaking out behind the scenes because we are running behind!!
That's it.

For the telemarketers...

2006-11-07T15:40:00.000-07:00

read the blog title.

Nor is it Whitebreed.

Breaking News

2006-11-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

Be on the lookout for these creatures most recently discovered in the Calgary South area.

They are "poison skinny snake fish and if you try to eat them because they are so colourful, they will bite you and you will die".

Brought to you by the WWF (Whitbread Wildlife Fun).

(Shown is the only person known to be in the presence of the poison skinny snake fish and lived)

Answer me this...

2006-11-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

What do you tell your 4-year old when he finds his Christmas presents?

I don't think I handled it like I should have when I said, "No you can't play with that because that is your Christmas gift from Santa!"

Lessons of the Day:
1 - Don't use the same hiding place year after year.
2 - Don't ruin your son's image of Santa when he has a friend over.
3 - Think about your answers first - lying isn't all bad in certain circumstances.

I think that we will take Fred's suggestion and get a goat for Christmas. Ethan would have fun looking through the World Vision catalogue for an animal. Once again though, he will be disappointed once he finds out that we don't get to keep it. A needy family in Africa will benefit greatly and we have taught Ethan a great lesson. Plus, we wouldn't have to find a hiding place for the goat either.

Win - Win - Win.

Mmmm....I love candy!

2006-10-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

I have a very sucessful candy pyramid scheme happening here. Sure I do a little work by decorating and buying the costume but it is the efforts of the little guys under me that do most of the work. They get dressed up all cute and everything, go door to door, recite a little jingle and they get candy! Mmmm...I love candy. Oh sure, the little guys get a cut of the profits and there is even enough left to re-distrubute should the need arise. (You see, Ethan comes in half way to unload the haul so if I run out of the candy I am giving, well....) It's a good deal. Especially on a night like tonight. Its cold and he's such a cutie. Not as many kids out so people are looking to get rid of the junk and he's such a cutie!

And so, the diet and excercise routine resumes on Monday. (I need a week to binge!)

i.e vs e.g

2006-10-24T09:06:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday, Kirsten! I sure hope you aren't cooking tonight! (Step up, Nathan and Chris)
I know that you and your family place such an emphasis on birthdays so I hope you feel it too.
Hopefully we can manage to get together this week so I can help you celebrate. Happy Birthday!

So, last night at supper when I was receiving my weekly grammar lesson, I discovered that I have been misusing i.e.. Apparently it means 'in other words' and not 'for example'. I don't think I am alone in this error because I've seen it before but I like to learn when I'm wrong. I'm constantly learning!
I don't want to make this a post about when I'm wrong but I never used to get the cliche "Six of one; half a dozen of the other" either. For years I thought it was "six of one half, a dozen of the other" so the context in which people would use it never made sense to me. Apparently, I was wrong but now it all makes sense. I use it all the time. (If you are someone who speaks with me often, you have probably heard me use that cliche. It's because, at 31 years old, it's new to me!)
Now I'll be using i.e. all the time.
There has to be other things out there that people have recently learned that probably should have been more common knowledge. Do tell.

Wanted:

2006-10-21T09:49:00.000-06:00

One loving and caring individual willing to watch and care for two lovely, well-behaved boys, ages 4.75 and 1. The position is from 8am to 4 pm, Monday - Thursday with lunch provided and no addition housework responsibilities added. The eldest boy will be picked up from school for the afternoons so only one napping child will remain in your care. Educational games, crafts, and activities will be expected as well as nutritional snacks. Hourly wage negotiable. Apply within.

WHO AM I KIDDING?

I just need somebody, anybody to make sure the house doesn't burn down with my kids in it, that's all. There is chocolate milk in the fridge, chips in the cupboard, and Treehouse is Channel 17. Why is child care so hard to find????

Is 12-15 dollars an hour reasonable to pay a nanny?

On a related note (kinda), Darrin is fine after his "procedure".
We are off to Butterfield Acres today to hunt for a pumpkin. Hopefully we won't have any trouble finding our pre-assigned gourd in it's shallow buriel ground of dried leaves. Thankfully it is a great day. Hope you all have a good one too!

Fish Creek Park outing

2006-10-17T10:04:00.000-06:00

Here are some shots of the day.

Another 'blog-worthy' moment

2006-10-16T09:08:00.000-06:00

The conversation went a little something like this:

Ethan: My dad is a good dad, right?
Me: Right.
Ethan: Do you know who is the best dad of the whole world?
Me: Who?
Ethan: God. But not Jesus 'cause he isn't a dad yet. Jesus is God's son, right?
Me: Right.
Ethan: He laid down his life, you know.
Me: Yes, yes he did. Do you know what that means?
Ethan: Nope. I just learned it in Sunday School. It's in a song.
Me: Well, it means he died for us.
Ethan: But he's not dead now, right?
Me: Right. Do you remember Easter time with the egghunts? Well, on Good Friday, Jesus died but on Easter Sunday, he became alive again.
Ethan: He died on Good Friday?
Me: Yes.
Ethan: Oh. What happens on Bad Friday?

Oh the pressure....

2006-10-11T10:06:00.000-06:00

and I'm not speaking on behalf of my belt after Thanksgiving dinner!

I'm speaking of two things:
1) I've made it to Kris' 'Most Frequented Blogs' section and I don't want to be cut to the section below, which is the 'Blogs I visit but are updated very infrequently' section and
2) Someone has shared with me their disdain about blogging, calling it a selfish and self-centered waste of time.

I have had further discussions with this individual (at which time they apologized for potentially hurting my feelings and insulting me) and have explained to him my desire to connect with a variety of different people and to keep my distant family updated on the musings of the Whitbread household. I have enlightened him a little but I also don't disagree with him on some level.

I will continue to share my life with you, my reader(s) and ask the same in return. Life is way to interesting and comical to keep to ourselves!

I will share with you Ethan's prayer at suppertime last night:
"Dear God and Jesus, you are so, so, so nice. Thank you for my potatoes and carrots and turkey and gravy. It is fun to sit at the big table and I am going to eat now. Amen."

Chat soon.

Funny or sad? You decide.

2006-10-04T14:58:00.000-06:00

So, at Ethan's school they have special school shirts that they wear for special occasions and School Spirit Days. (2 special's and 3 school's in one sentence - not good)
Anyway, for his class they are green and today happens to be a special day with a visit from the Vancouver Aquarium. So I was playing up the whole "green day" thing when Ethan got super excited and started jumping around everywhere yelling, "Green Day, Green Day, Green Day. They are coming to my school. Yippee! Yippee! Green Day! I love Green Day!"
It sounds so obvious when I type it out but I didn't get it at first.
Yep! He thought that by it being green day at school that Green Day would be there.
I thought it was cute and funny then it dawned on me. Should my 4.5 year old know who Green Day is?
Maybe it is a little sad too.

Dad, Green Day is a rock band ;-)

Answers revealed

2006-10-04T09:07:00.000-06:00

VERBIGERATION - to repeat things over and over and over and over again.
ASPERGILLUM - a device used for sprinkling holy water
BAFALO - a west African xylophone
CHINQUAPIN - a tree of the chestnut family
SARCOLOGY - the study of soft parts of the body

(I maybe should have pre-read them before deciding. Grade 6ers are grossed out easily so the last one didn't go over very well!)

So the next time you are playing your bafalo under a chinquapin whilst studying sarcology, think of me.

Well, I see by the clock on the wall that it's time to bid you, one and all, so long. Farewell. Au revoir, .....

What's your guess?

2006-10-02T11:22:00.000-06:00

At Sunday School yesterday we played a modified version of Balderdash, a game in which you basically make up answers to try to fool people into believing that you are right.
Here are some words that I gave them to create definitions for. (yes, I did assume that they did not know the correct answer!)
What are your attempts to define these words? (without looking on websters.com)

VERBIGERATION
ASPERGILLUM
BAFALO
CHINQUAPIN
SARCOLOGY

I will share their guesses another day as well as the correct answer.

Also, Happy Birthday to my big sister. Hope it was a good one.

At least one sorta looks like me..

2006-09-29T10:26:00.000-06:00

If you have ever seen my husband (except on the picture in the previous post), you will know that I make babies that look like him. Not that there is ever a question! Mind you, he is adopted and could be the carrier of some recessive 'black' genes - you never know.
Anyhoo...I think the older one may be beginning to show signs that he is mine too. Yeah! It's kinda cool and freaky all at the same time to look down at someone that looks like you or their dad. And so begins the overwhelming thoughts of being responsible of a life that you've created.
We are getting more pictures taken today which is very unusual for us Whitbreads. Most of my friends get professional pictures done once a month or at least every two. Aidan is 10 months old and this is time #3. Maybe I'm waiting until he looks more like me!!! JOKING!
Anyhoo...

This makes me smile!

2006-09-18T09:57:00.000-06:00

A couple of posts ago I asked "What makes you smile?". My sister answered by e-mail and sent me the following pictures that we took while playing on her Mac. I love iphotobooth.

And the winner is......

2006-09-12T14:52:00.000-06:00

Ethan..... for Understatement of the Year. If you have spent any time at all at home with the kid you will know that the T.V. is an excellent occupier and entainer of youngins. So, this morning I needed about 1.5 hours of Ethan-free time. In goes a movie.
If you have seen the movie "The Legend of Zorro" (which is the 2nd one), you'll know the big train scene at the end. After about 20 minutes of well correographed(?) sword fighting on a racing train, Zorro finally pins his opponant to the front of the train and jumps to safety mere seconds before the raging locomotive plows into the stone barracade placed to indicate the end of the track. The last image of the man strapped to the grill is his screaming face just before impact, large boulders flying everywhere. The train then tumbles uncontrollably across the rough terrain, buckelling with the monentum of the speed under which it was travelling. Dust and rocks clouded the scene but before long, the nitro-glycerin that was being transported on board exploded, all 7 cars blowing up in sequence until all is left is a mangled, firey mess. It was quite a magnificant crash after which Ethan (who probably shouldn't have been watching it in the first place) looked up at me and said:

"That would hurt."

A well-deserved "Understatement of the Year" award, don't you think?

What makes you smile?

2006-09-11T09:01:00.000-06:00

Think of the things that put an instantaneous smile on your face, no matter of what your mood is.
Here are a couple of things that do it for me:
1. a laughing baby
2. a person tripping (and not getting hurt....too badly)
3. when Darrin walks in front of the car and I barmp (honk) the horn. He jumps EVERY TIME!
4. sleeping children
5. a clever, sarcastic retort (especially if I haven't thought of it myself first)

I had to fire an employee on the weekend and it tore me up so please share with me. Your thoughts just might make me smile.

1st Day of School

2006-09-06T22:48:00.000-06:00

Here is a pic of Ethan on his 1st day of Junior Kindergarten. I'm so proud. Doesn't he look handsome?

He marked his day with a couple of Ethan's Funny Quotes of the Day:
"Mom, do you know that there are things that I don't know? Like, I know what I know, but I don't know stuff I don't know. But what I don't know, my dentist and God knows."

"Aidan says 'da-da' and 'na-na' and 'ba-ba'. Actually, I think he's saying Bubba for that fat kid on tv!"
(For those of you who watch Maury, Bubba was the 150 lb 3-year old on the other day. I didn't think he was paying attention!)

We caved...

2006-09-05T20:37:00.000-06:00

We bought groceries. 7 days. Not bad.
I couldn't very well serve crackers and jam to friends (and have them still be friends).
House is back on the air and life is good.
Who should win Big Brother this round?
Rockstar SuperNova - Go Toby!!

We're Home!!!

2006-08-31T11:43:00.000-06:00

Wow! What an exciting summer!
But I gotta say, it is good to be home.
The following is a list of the contents in my fridge:
- 3 eggs (outdated)
- white milk
- chocolate milk
- Red Bull
- 2 slices leftover pizza
- several condiments and sauces
- 1 apple
- raspberry jam
- chicken broth
My question is: How long can one live on the afore mentioned items?
I do have chips, crackers, pasta and rice as well so I figure 4-6 days (in addition to the 2 we've been back!) We'll have to see.
Ciao bellas!

Unrelated photo - just thought I'd update you.

We're still away!

2006-08-24T19:06:00.000-06:00

We were away, then we were home for 4 days, now were are away again (Music Camp and Winnipeg). Will share more once we are home but our van did get broken into this morning. If only Uncle Policeman were around.
All is well and all are safe.
Chat soon.
Peace out.

We're still alive!

2006-07-28T07:58:00.000-06:00

So much has happened but the computer I have access to has dial-up - hence the lack of postings.
Welcome back to all you Penticton peeps. I'll see you soon.
To sign off, I'll leave you with one of Ethan's funniest quotes ever:
"Have you ever heard of brown kids with white parents before?"
(after seeing 2 tanned asian children with caucasion care-givers)

We were at the African Lion Safari with real lions about 2 feet from our car, baboons climbing on our windshield, zebras licking the mirrors and we rode an elephant and that's what it took to amaze him. I guess wonders never do cease!

Cliche come to life

2006-07-11T14:00:00.000-06:00

You know the saying "Shop 'til you drop"?
It can actually happen.
My sister and her husband, my husband and I all went shopping over to the States for the weekend and it was awesome.
We arrived at the outlets at 11:00 am and packed it in around 8:30 pm. Unbelievable!
It was wicked fun.
I did discover one thing though - Michigan's welcome sign should read:
"Michigan! The State where our butts are as big as the serving sizes"
Did you know you can get sausage gravy and grits with just about anything? Vile!
Anyhow, have a great July and I'll post again once we are home again.
Most people are in Penticton now and I wish them all well.
To Nathan and Dev, have fun at work. At least there is a/c there!
Yahoo!!

Where do I start??

2006-07-04T06:57:00.000-06:00

Well, first and foremost, Darrin is here! I picked him up Friday night and it's been steady go ever since.
I may have to update you all in point form.

Ethan was sleeping when Darrin arrived so he didn't see him until the next morning. He was so excited that his laughter turned to tears and the both of them started crying. Of all the reactions I was picturing, that was not one of them. It was fantastic!
Canada Day - we took a road trip to Goderich for their small town celebrations. It was actually fun. Free BBQ and pop followed by a parade, all with my family - great time.
July 2 - My 31st birthday. We went to Niagara Falls and rode on the Maid of the Mist. It's a boat that takes you right to the base of the falls. All of us (except for mom and Aidan) went and we got soaked. It was great and a very cool experience. Ethan loved it. We walked all around the touristy places (Clifton Hill) and then went back to the hotel for supper and a swim.
July 3 - Marineland. What a blast! We did all the rides, saw all the shows, and walked, and walked, and walked. Ethan and his cousins did all the kiddie rides then the adults and some of the older kids did the larger rides. Ya know, I used to like rides...
More Marineland - We saw the Harbour Seal show, the dolphin and sea lion show (we were front row so it was great!), Mom, Ethan, and Alison got soaked by the Killer Whales and Ethan fed and touched the Baluga Whales and the Bears (no touching, just feeding those). 8 hours later we drove home.

We have had a fantastic 3 days so far and there is more to come.

I do have a Ethan's Funny Quote of the Day:

"Dad, I saw two mommy cows lay baby cows".

(Not really but their were two calfs born last week in the farm down the road!)

June 28th, 1997....

2006-06-28T12:53:00.000-06:00

I held 12 red roses and the hand of the man I love.

For the first time ever, we are apart for our wedding anniversary. I am quite sad about it actually. And so, I will spend it with my sister, at the mall.
I did receive a card in the mail though so I will share how thoughtful my husband is.
"When you look into the mirror today, I want you to see the same beautiful face I see whenever I look at you.
I want you to see eyes that sparkle with love and intelligence and maybe a few mischievous thoughts.
I want you to see a smile that's contagious, that gets even better with time.
When you look into the mirror today, I want you to see someone so loved that there will never be enough time to tell you how much."

9 years.
Happy Anniversary, Darrin.
I love you.

Thanks..

2006-06-22T17:50:00.000-06:00

for all those prayers. Dad's heart procedure went off without a hitch and is doing quite well considering. Now we just need to keep him rested. If you actually know my dad, you will know that this is something that needs prayer too!!

Thanks again!

Something old, new, borrowed and dead!

2006-06-21T12:11:00.000-06:00

When I come back to London, I look forward to re-visiting all the old hang-outs and seeing old friends. I also always expect to see something new and different. The area has grown so much with all new housing, retail outlets, etc. but the thing that has amazed me the most is the roadkill.
I have never seen so much roadkill in my life!
Both my parents and sister live a little ways out of town and require about a 10 minute drive on country roads and it is on those trips that this discovery has begun. I have seen roadkill in Alberta but maybe only 2 or 3 "items" on the way to Banff (okay, sometimes its a large item, like a deer) but nothing like the numbers I am seeing these days.
It's like a family of 3 or 4 groundhogs stand in the middle of the northbound lane and a family of 2 or 3 skunks stand on the middle of the southbound lane, each warning each other of oncoming traffic when *SPLAT*, too little too late. I actually counted 13 "items" in a 15 minute drive two nights ago. It's disgusting!
Either the suicide rate amongst Southern Ontario rodent relatives is out of control or maybe we just have smarter animals in Alberta!
No matter, night time driving is more of an adventure and it's not my car!.
Ta Ta for now!

How great is this?

2006-06-19T08:45:00.000-06:00

Aidan woke up at 7:15 this morning and so I picked him up, took him upstairs and gave him to mom. Then, I went back to bed, slept until 9:30, got up, made an omelet, coffee was already ready, and now it is 10:43. I am blogging in my pajama's and I will now have a long, hot, leisurely shower. I spoke with Darrin this morning, Kirsten last night, I feel like a million bucks!
Both Ethan and I really miss Darrin though (even though it isn't causing me to fight bedtime or be lippy or stick my tongue out at people or ....)
I got to spend Fathers Day with my father for the first time in 10 years and witnessed a baby dedication of the little sister of an old boyfriend on Sunday. I am heading out to see the movie The Break-up tonight with my sister. Looking forward to that. And, I've lost 2 pounds!
HOW GREAT IS THAT??

Ethan's Quote of the Day:
"I wanna go home and I miss my daddy. But if you gave me some chocolate milk, it would help me sleep!"

Nice try, punk!

We are Family

2006-06-17T08:38:00.000-06:00

It is so nice to be with family - my real family. After living away from home for so long your friends become your family, even sometimes fake Nana's and Papa's are born! But there is nothing like spending time with people that you look like and sound like and sometimes even act like (that can be good and bad!) 4 seconds after being with my sister makes me realize how much I actually miss being around her. I think that if I lived near her, we could be really good friends. We are 5 years apart and weren't really 'friends' growing up.
***********Sidebar***************
Darrin, I am not interested in moving so don't think i've started on that whole rampage again!!
************************************
Anyhoo,
Not much else to say except I really do love being here. I totally miss my friends too but....

To sign off, I'll leave you with this:
Ethan's Quote of the Day:
"So, like, are you guys sisters like Aidan is my brother??"
after seeing Jill for the first time this trip

Sweet Home Alabama

2006-06-15T08:20:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm here.
The flight was fantastic; smooth, quick and I had two very well behaved boys.
I love the anticipation of walking through the airport to the awaiting family members on the other side of the frosted glass sliding doors. Will my son remember them? Will he try to hid behind my legs? (which is a really sad thought to know that my thighs can hide a 4 year old!) Will they have room in their car for 2 car seats, 3 suitcases, a backpack, a diaper bag and one giant purse - not to mention 3 extra people?
I think I was smiling even before I saw them. Ethan ran on ahead of me, straight into the arms of the first white-haired man he saw, which fortunately was Grampy. Phew! First 2 questions answered.
It sure is nice to be here. I feel quite relaxed already. It has only been 1 full day and I'm starting to miss Darrin. This potentially could be a long 2 weeks but hopefully it'll give him some down time, get his marks in, and get his exit paper completed for his masters degree. If you can, contact him by phone, email, or this blog to "encourage" him to get that paper done. It'll cost us another $800 if he doesn't have it done this summer and I've got shopping to do:-)
Anyhoo, just posting to check in. I'll keep up with you all.
Glad to be with my family but I wouldn't call it home. Calgary is now home. But it is sweet none the less. And it isn't Alabama.
Cheers!

It's only a day away

2006-06-12T14:28:00.000-06:00

In 24 hours from the time I am posting this, I will be airbourne, 2 kids in tow, on my way to my family and I can hardly wait. I have sooooo much to do so this will be short.
I will blog from London so don't not check me out.
Or just continue to check me out.
I mean the blog.
Oh, whatever.

If the village calls....

2006-06-08T18:34:00.000-06:00

I'm the idiot they are looking for.

I have always watched the infomercials on T.V and wondered, "who and where are the idiots that need these products?". I know it is the intention to sell the product but the marketers have a way to make an everyday, run-of-the-mill task look like an impossible feat or at least one that was way too complicated to even bother doing ever again.
For example, have you seen the commercial for the automatic hair braider? A normal little girl sitting down in front of her mom to have her hair done which ends up in tangles, tears, and tantrum? Da da da da...... the Braid Master to the rescue! Simply place the hair pieces into the clamps, press the button and impressively - beautiful braids in mere seconds! How did generations upon generations upon generations ever get by without one??!!
Then there's the Spaghetti Steamer (actually Pasta Pronto), the Bacon Wave and the Cheese Master.
HOWEVER, I have discovered as of late how difficult it really is to flip a flippin' pancake. I can't do it without making a mess. I flip it over the others, up the side of the pan, everywhere except where it needs to go so I really could use the Perfect Pancake.
So, since I can't make pancakes, I am sure there is someone out there who can't braid hair or cook bacon. Someone's thinkin'.
Has anyone else been experiencing difficulty with Blogger.com?? It's been brutal.

It's no longer just the birds!

2006-06-07T11:28:00.000-06:00

Aidan, who has slept through the night since he was about 2 months old, was up 4 times last night! He has had this lingering cough/cold thing for about 4-6 weeks now and it's back - with a vengance! We spent Saturday night at Children's Hospital to be re-assured that it is nothing (even though he sounds like a 80 year old emphazema patient) and have now added diahreah (?) and a constant runny nose and whining to the agenda. What gives??

I am not a woman who functions well on little sleep but am managing so far. I leave on Tuesday to the safe haven of my parents house where someone else will get to share in all the sick baby goodness!

Mom, Dad, buy some Shout!

This photo just doesn't do the story justice but he is still a cutie!

what gives??

2006-06-06T09:13:00.000-06:00

"I saw the sun was shining,
I saw the sky was blue.
The birds I heard were singing,
their melodies were ringing,
the birds I heard were singing.
So I sang too!"

NOT!

Don't the birds know it's only 4:14 am?

Our growing list of "swears"

2006-06-03T09:53:00.000-06:00

If you have been around us for any length of time, have been in my home, or have spent time with my son, you will know some "bad words". Maybe because you've heard them but mainly because you've said them and have been caught!

Here's the list:

the obvious 4-letter words (which sad to say, have been said - sorry Dad, sorry Major)
shut-up
stupid
can't
I don't want to play with you (more a phrase than just a word)
hate

Ethan will be quick to tell you if you say any of these within earshot and may potentially suggest that you go to the naughty chair for however many minutes you are in years. You see, he has had his share of 4-minute timeouts. Darrin actually looks forward to the 35 minute quiet times!!

Try going a day or two without saying any of those words. You may find it harder than it looks!

Death by Booger

2006-06-01T16:41:00.000-06:00

I have never been stung - by anything. I do not want to find out what it is like now. Having a friend who is allergic to bee stings and watching her freak out anytime she sees/hears one, I have adopted her "bee dance". You may be familiar with it. The one where you leave your baby behind for bait, knock over your chair and drink, and run away flailing as if you were trying to rid yourself of your arms??? Yeah, that one.
But today, I was brave. In the presence of my impressionable son, I discovered a wasp on my kitchen window, hiding out under the blind so I raised the blind and opened the door thinking that it would sense the impending danger and flee, flee, flee. But it seemed to be up for the challenge and so we had a stare down. Him, with his stinger poised, holding a defense position in the corner, knowing that if he stayed there, my swatter wouldn't be able to hit him dead on. I would say that I stood there, swatter in hand, trying to hold Ethan back for a good 15 minutes. I was waiting for the good shot and I just needed him to move just a little. Ethan was chanting to the rythym of my racing heart, "do it, do it, do it..." in between picking his nose and scratching his legs.
Finally he said, "Mom, I'll get it."
"No, honey. If you miss with the swatter, he'll get angry and come after us. Mommy will do it, just wait a second." I replied anxiously. Ethan was trying to get closer and closer to the enemy when suddenly he had an idea.
"Mom, I'm gonna kill it with this booger!" and he threw the latest find from his nostril excavation at the wasp.
I think the movement startled the wasp, it moved to an ideal stricking zone, and 1 whack did the trick.
I think it was a team effort but I think Ethan thinks he killed that darn wasp with his snot.
One things for sure; we will never run out of amunition in this house! Yes, this is a picture of the weapon. Gross!

E.D. Whitbread, PhD

2006-05-29T20:14:00.000-06:00

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....

2006-05-29T11:11:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-27T13:38:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-26T11:49:00.000-06:00

...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

2006-05-24T16:53:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-23T15:09:00.000-06:00

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!

2006-05-22T15:40:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-21T17:56:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-18T16:34:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-15T21:26:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-12T09:10:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-09T17:06:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-07T12:09:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-04T17:53:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-03T08:45:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-02T10:02:00.000-06:00

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

2006-05-01T14:45:00.000-06:00

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)

First foods

2006-04-29T18:05:00.000-06:00

I love to eat and so do my boys (Darrin included). Here is Aidan trying out some cereal and sweet potatoes for the first time and lovin' it.
Little things excite us now.
"Yeah" to all the Oilers fans out there - nice win. Hopefully us Flames fans can celebrate too tonight. Go Flames Go!
Thanks for the Stampin' Up party today Sue. Anytime I can spend money I'm there.
My Victorian Epicure party is in May (the 17th I think). I'll get my invitations out soon but if anyone is reading this and wants to come and I don't get an invite to you, come anyway. It's great stuff and it's edible. See, it all comes back to food. Speaking of, I'm going to make supper now but not before leaving you with an Ethan's Funny Quote of the Day:
"He stinks! Like, can't you smell that??" (... in reference to his brother, talking to me who was just sitting on the couch.)