Busy!

Well, it took us about 14 hours to get to Tennessee. The drive was OK for most of the day, however, once Jonah’s bedtime hit, things went down hill very quickly. Throughout the entire drive he slept for 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, then maybe 30 minutes. Normally, during that time frame he would have slept for a full five hours, rather than one. So, let’s just say there was some crying involved.

In the afternoon, by some sort of miracle, as I75 and I71 were merging in Kentucky we looked over and there was the downhere van, merging with us! Crazy! There’s no way we could have planned it. (They were driving home from Pennsylvania.) We soon made a joint gas stop to say hello – Jonah was pretty excited. Fortunately for us, the band got quite a bit ahead of us when we stopped for supper. They were able to warn us that I65 was at a stand still because of an accident involving a transport truck. So, we managed to take a detour, while the band’s van sat motionless on I65 for HOURS and HOURS. I almost cried with relief, realizing how difficult our night would have been, sitting in our car with our sleep-deprived and uncomfortable child, had the band not been an hour ahead of us. Praise God!

Once we arrived at Jeremy and Erin’s (We had a key! Good thinking Glenn and Jerin!), Jonah just kept running around the house from room to room, saying “But where are bumf?” (Translation: “But where are drums?”) I guess he was expecting to find a drum kit here that he could play. Jeremy IS the band's drummer, after all. Finally this morning, I took him to the beginning of a downhere rehearsal and he got to play Jeremy’s kit.

I thought Jonah’s sleep schedule was recovered yesterday, but he didn’t sleep well last night (surprise party in the house) and was up early. And tomorrow we head for Seattle – another 2-hour time change, plus travel during usual sleep times. Not fun.

So, last night Glenn arranged for Jeremy & Erin to take care of Jonah during the supper hour so he could finally take me out for my 30th birthday. When we got back, I opened the door and there where balloons everywhere. I did a bit of a “Hunh laugh” not really sure what was going on. Then the entire downhere family jumped up to say surprise and happy birthday. I was surprised! And correct me if I’m wrong, but this was my first surprise party ever! It was a fun party and it was so nice to see everyone again – it has been a LONG time since we’ve ALL been together. Thanks to all of you who contributed messages to the book compiled for me. Glenn also created a photo album using his Mac. Thanks, babe! Thanks to all of you who helped make this happen – there were many. And I got another surprise too! I get to see my sister and
meet my niece this month when they come visit me in Tennessee! WOO HOO!

I have felt pretty busy so far - unpacking, running errands, having parties and now packing. Tomorrow we head to Seattle, Washington for the weekend. I’m hoping to see my brother, brother-in-law, and two cousins there. Then on Monday we head to Winthrop for the record label retreat. I just heard some strange news though – the scenery there will be a little odd this year because of forest fires. That is, in the day we will constantly be able to see smoke in various areas, and in the evenings, we’ll even be able to see the fires burning. Ummmmm… sounds a little unsafe, but they assure us we’re going to be OK! So, I guess Jonah will be learning about forest fires this month.

Breaking up is hard to do

Well, we're not breaking up, but it sure felt like it last night. And no, I'm not talking about Glenn, I'm talking about my nephew Miles! Yesterday was the last day I'll be taking care of him, for at least a few months anyway, and then who knows what?

Because we have such a little amount of time now before we head to the States, I have to quickly readjust to life with one child. Last night I took the double stroller apart and put it away, then took the extra carseat out of my car and moved Jonah's to the middle. Then I gathered up some items, like Miles' basket of diaper-changing supplies and what not, and returned them to Tracy, his Mom. I felt like I was breaking up with the poor little guy, removing all evidence that he ever existed in my life or something!?!?!

But that's definitely NOT what was happening! Sorry Miles, I'm your Aunt! You're STUCK with me!

Here are a few pics taken during our final week [sniff] and I regret I forgot to bring my camera for our walk in the forest on Friday. We've been going for walks in there almost once a week for the last month or two. They love it in there and it's neat to see how much improvement they've made getting up the hill out of the forest. I taught them to say, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..."

The boys were getting a serious rock going on the seesaw here

Yes, they do occasionally hug. Sometimes spontaneously even.
I suggested they do this one for the camera though.

The boys decided to sleep with the zoo animals. Miles lay them
all down, then both boys lay down with them.

This one was actually taken back in June, but
it's one of the best ones we have of the three of us together.

"... and a good time was had by all..."

Cosmos bipinnatus

I've decided that the cosmos bipinatus is my new favorite flower. I have been admiring it in someone's garden on my street for weeks. Finally today, the gardener was home and was able to tell me the name of the flower. The gardener called it "cosmos" and I have since discovered it's common name is the Mexican Aster. It's an annual, however, it's quite easy to grow from seed and so it often reappears in your garden each year. One thing I really like about it is how it looks in the garden - quite tall, with lots of little skinny leaves. I'll find some pics to help you see what I mean...

A Last of 2006

Today was the last opportunity Glenn and I had for THIS year to take our son AND nephew out for a bike ride, so of course we did it! It was a beautiful day. We were out from 9am-11am. We had several stops to let the boys out and explore a little, see some waterfalls, birds, rowboats in the Grand River, and so on.

I'm really pleased with the progress I've made this year as far as biking goes. Glenn seems to have built-in stamina when it comes to biking. He just has more leg muscles, which I will attribute to testosterone - afterall, all winter neither of us do any biking, but he still starts the season with way more strength. "Hills? What hills?" "Ummm, I'm dyin' here!"

"Cool Echo Tunnel!"

Us on part of the Blair Trail

When the day gets hot, helmets make for sweaty heads!

30, and I know what you're thinking...

"She can't be 30! There's ABSOLUTELY no way!"

That IS what you're thinking, right? I have a mind-reading gift, and it comes in handy at times like these. We finally just celebrated my 30th birthday with the Lavender family. They gave me my gift a ways back though - a new computer! SWEEEEET! So, of course, I'm using it right now. Thanks Lavs! You're too great! Also, special thanks to my sister and her family for the cute scarf I'm modelling in the above picture. The rest of my loved-ones supported me in the way of cash (woo hoo!) which I will spend on some new, hip, comfortable (yet-to-be-found) shoes. Let me know if you have any recommendations.

This fall

My Dearest blog-readers,

I wanted to make sure to keep you in the loop about our family's plans for the fall, so here you have it!

downhere is going to be doing a long, busy, yet kinda spread out ("choppy?") tour this fall with BarlowGirl and Matthew West. In order for Jonah and I to see Glenn as much as possible, we have decided that we will all spend the fall down in Tennessee. We'll be staying with Jeremy & Erin during that time. We leave here late in August and arrive back home late in November. I am not sure how often I'll have internet access during that time, but I should be able to blog from time to time, and if you blog, I'll be checking it when I can! Same for email.

In September we're going to go to the artist retreat that downhere's record label is holding at their facility in Winthrop, Washington. We went last year and it was great (check out my September 2005 archives). This year will be different because we will be BRINGING Jonah! He's gonna love it, although the travelling and changing time zones will be far from enjoyable. And although I regret that I won't exactly get the much-needed mothering break I got last year, I'm looking forward to showing off my child to my friends and letting Jonah experience all that the facilities have to offer!

All of this brings a lot of change for more than just us. Please keep us in your prayers during this time and as we consider our plans past November. Also pray for my sister-in-law, Tracy, and her son, Miles. As most of you know, I have been taking care of Miles full-time for almost 8 months. This change is going to be as big for them as it is for us! We know that it's all going to work out fine, but change for toddlers can feel very traumatic!

Unfortunately

At 12:00 am on Sunday, August 6th, the author of this blog peacefully passed in her sleep from her 20s to her 30s.

Trapped

I feel trapped in this house!!!

The temperatures have been crazy here lately. With the humidex today, it's already 47 degrees celcius (117F). I can't take the boys out in that weather!! Especially considering they have both had diarrhea since at least Saturday. So, since they have a contagious disease and since diarrhea means frequent diaper changes, I can't take them anywhere either. No mall. No playdates with friends. And who is gonna want to come here?!

The boys are actually in pretty good spirits. I don't think either of them have had a fever at all. They haven't been too hungry. They're managing to drink enough, I think. Perhaps a little more tired than usual. Of course, with Jonah's sensitive skin, he had a sore bum in no time. It manages to heal pretty well overnight, but usually by afternoon he's a SCREAMIN' for the diaper changes. Trying to bathe him is pure torture for both of us. He's screaming in pain and I feel SO BAD cuz I HAVE to get his bum clean! He hasn't had his hair shampooed for a few days now!

Jonah and I are going to a cousin's wedding on Friday in St. Catharines, then heading to Oshawa to spend the weekend with my parents. I sure hope he's ALL better by then! It's my 30th birthday on Sunday after all!!!

Last year I spent my 29th birthday in the hospital, trying to sleep beside Jonah's hospital bed -- he became dehydrated last year around this time because of vomiting and diarrhea! Ummmmm... might I be a little paranoid about dehydration? Yes! But not to fear, these boys are drinking mixes of water, gatorade, kool-aid, and grape juice. They're even getting Mr. Freezes! And their usual doses of soy milk/formula too. Anyway, I have a feeling my birthday this year WILL be better than last year's!