it's my birthday

Rob and I had a date last night! First *real* date in a long, long time. I got dressed up - well, so did he - and we went out for a lovely dinner at a real restaurant, with a wine list and menus that aren't posted on the walls. Then we went a browsed in a bookstore. Lovely. Just lovely. The kids did great at my mom's place, and 2 out of 3 were sleeping when we got back.

We got home today after being at my mom's place since Wednesday. The last few days were jam-packed with shopping and activity. We had a good chunk of Christmas money to spend, and spend we did. Got some great things that the kids needed, that I wanted, and a few random things for the house. I got ice skates, and I can't wait to try them out with Isaac in the next few days. It's been a LONG time since I've skated though. This could be interesting. Although, my new skates would give my much more 'street cred' than my old white figure skates back in the day when Tracy and I used to play hockey with the boys in the neighbourhood on Friday nights back in Montreal. Ahh yes, life back in the land of outdoor skating rinks.

Norah was super cranky today. The lunch time fast food stop with a playplace too 'grown up' for her didn't help. Turns out, she's feverish. Fun. Another 'fun road story' from today - I don't think I will take Rob's word on the gas levels in my van again. I was sure we were short on gas, but he kept insisting we would be fine. At 25 kms outside of Battleford, the gas light came on. And if you have ever driven the #16...you know there isn't anything between 25 kms out of Battleford and Battleford itself. I was in minor panic mode, imagining being stuck on the side of the highway, while Rob was going to get us gas. Oh, and did I forget to mention he forgot to charge his cell phone too? So we could have been at the mercy of some strangers on the highway. Ya, fun. Next road trip, I override Rob's gas predictions. ;)

nag, nag, nag

where are everyone's Christmas updates? nudge, nudge....

for the record, the kids blog has our updates and some photos.

yeeeessss....

all the Christmas cards are in the mail, the gifts are out (Mo - I hope your girls stuff arrives before the big day, I had to wait for a package from the US to arrive before I mailed. oh I hope!) The baking is done. All I need to do is wrap gifts for Rob and the kids. And I really think that's it!

Christmas can now come, December does not need a pause button.

supposed to be

I'm supposed to be a Judy's funeral right now. The older two are supposed to be at the daycare drop in spot. We're not. Instead, we had a picnic lunch on the kitchen floor.

a snowstorm blew in today. It's mild, but lots of snow and bad highway conditions. Rob and I made the executive decision that I was going to stay home with the kids. Just as well, Ruby is very snotty in the nose. I don't want to attempt the roads if I don't have to, and I'm not too thrilled with Rob being on them either. But hey, it's not like he has a choice. Oh, and he's sick now too. He was feverish last night, and is stuffy headed and sore throated. Just like I had a couple of weeks ago. Poor guy.

The temps are mild today though, so I'm hoping for some good outdoor time this afternoon after naps. I need a shower though, and to run some laundry. We may end up with dinner guests, and possibly overnight guests depending on the roads this afternoon.

I'm excited though, we are going to have guests in January. There is much irony in who the guests are, given the time of year, it is US who should be going to THEM. hee hee.

sad

We are in Saskatoon. Last minute thing. Rob got a call yesterday during lunch that J, a parishoner that we really really love had been admitted to hospital for the last time in S'toon. She has been battling with a massive and rapidly growing brain tumor since September. Rob saw her in our town Saturday, when she was in our hospital for a blood transfusion. Anyhow her husband called yesterday, and Rob asked about coming down, H said that he didn't want Rob to put himself out.

However, this is H and J. He was going to put himself out. We made the decision for us all to go - so that I wasn't home with the kids, and we could be a distraction on the road and have a fun trip out of what wasn't going to be a fun trip.

We're so thankful we left when we did. Rob managed to get to the hospital by 8 and stay for a little while. H was so thankful that he was there, and was suprised too. They were waiting for their last son to arrive, somewhere between 9 and 10 pm. H phoned us back just after 11, and J had died, peacefully, with her whole family (except the 2 littlest grandchildren) present. Rob went back to the hospital to say prayers and spend time with the family.

Sigh. I can't imagine H without J. I loved her so much, she was one of my favourite people in our smaller church. She and H made us feel so welcomed and loved. I'm so thankful things moved quickly in these last couple of weeks, for everyone's sake, and that she wasn't suffering long. This will be a sad Christmas for her family though, she was a very special lady, mother and grandmother.

I'm stupidly tired

I'm so, so tired. Sleep has been minimal around here. I've messed up my days, missed a birthday or 2, and almost forgot the Christmas party the kids were going to on Thursday. Ruby is teething. Big time. And it's 'more' than either of her siblings ever threw at us. And she isn't sleeping well. And it's currently 12:07 am...and she has just pooped for the 4th time tonight. roll eyes. Ruby and Norah have colds. The snot flows like the poop.

Mom is here, and goes home tomorrow. I have baked 20 dozen chocolate cookies for various events. I have done so much to prepare for next Saturday's open house already, and there is more to do. I'm tired though. I have the rehearsal for the Christmas pagent on Sunday, and that is stressing me out.

On the bright side, Rob and I had the closest thing to a date since August 2005. We went out to the pastor's Christmas party in town tonight. ALONE. Not with a single child. Woo hoo. That was wonderful. We need to do that again soon.