Ouch!

So I've been looking for my wedding CD so I can blog about our anniversary this past week.  I still haven't found it so I thought I'd share my most recent ouchie.  I was getting stew ready to put in the crock pot after church today (we're having the missionaries for dinner) and Jason was browning the stew meat for me.  I was walking past the stove to grab the salt and pepper and some grease splattered out of the pan and right onto my FOOT!

The picture doesn't really do it justice.  I don't know how something so small could be so painful.  It still smarts!  Jason feels bad, I'm going to see how long I can milk it.

Bunking Together

When we were expecting our third baby (Kenny was stillborn May 2nd, 2008), we purchased bunk beds that Ashton and Bowen would share when the baby came.  So when we moved into our current home we put each of the boys in their own rooms but still set up the bunk beds in Ashton's for when we needed it.  Since the need didn't arise we left the boys in their own rooms - I found they go to sleep quicker if they are alone, but we do however let them use the bunk beds on weekends. 

Last night the boys asked if they could sleep in Ashton's room, since it is Spring break I said sure.  The boys headed up to bed, usually Ashton takes the bottom bunk and Bowen takes the top.  I think they were tired because they only talked for a little bit.  When I was heading to bed I went in to check on them and found this -

So much for buying bunk beds!

Birthday Celebrations

For Ashton's birthday this year I told him he could invite a couple of buddies and we would do whatever he wanted to.  He decided to invite his good friends Miller and Dylan and to go to a movie.  After school we headed to the mall to see the movie "Rango".  The movie was pretty fun, the boys liked it.  I never thought to check the rating as several people had told me they had taken their kids - there actually were a couple of swear words in it.  Hopefully I won't get any complaints from the parents.

The boys waiting for the movie to start.

After the movie we went to the food court for hotdogs and fries.

How cute are they!

After supper we headed back home to open presents.

Ashton was very happy with all his presents.  He got Beyblades from Dylan, Star Wars Color Explosion and a Star Wars T-shirt from Miller, Atlantis Lego from Bowen, and a Darth Vadar Alarm Clock and Air Hogs from us.

Ashton obviously happy with what Bowen bought him.



He loved his Darth Vadar Alarm Clock!

Bowen had a few meltdowns about how awesome Ashton's presents were.  I'd hear him whispering "don't let it be awesome" as Ashton opened them.


It's not my party but I'll cry if I want too!

 After presents came the cake.  Ashton asked for a Dairy Queen cake this year.  Sponge Bob of course, one of his favorites.

The boys tried out some of the new toys including the Air Hog Vectron.

It was a fun day, and I'm tired so I'm off to bed.  To finish it all off on a great note, Ashton's report card came home today and it was just awesome.  I'm so proud of him.  His teacher wrote that "his enthusiastic and energetic ways are refreshing".  I totally agree but would perhaps add "sometimes exhausting".

Happy Birthday Ashton - We Love You!!

Look Who's "7"!!

For most people today is St. Patrick's Day but for me it will always be - ASHTON'S BIRTHDAY!  It was the one day Jason told me not to have him.  I've never handled people telling me what to do well.  I still remember the day Ashton was born like it was yesterday.  I went into labour about 2 a.m. in the morning, we headed to the hospital around 7:00 a.m. and Ashton was born at 12:58 p.m.  He was such a cute baby.  A little turned up nose and chubby cheeks.  We were so happy and proud and we still are. 

Ashton is a very sensitive, kind little boy.  He enjoys playing with his brother.  He does well in school and has lots of friends.  He is so smart and loves to learn.  His favorite TV shows are Mythbusters and How It's Made.  He is very responsible and seems to have wisdom beyond his years.  Don't get me wrong he can also be a very silly boy and likes to do all the silly boy things.  We love having Ashton in our family and I'm sure he will grow up to be a great man.

We are having his birthday party tomorrow but I made his favorite supper for him tonight.

Pancakes, strawberries, chocolate milk and a grape popscicle for dessert.


Leprechaun tattoo on his cheek from school!



Happy Birthday Ashton!

Recipe Tuesday

Last night I made one of our favorite meals that is so fast and easy I thought I'd put it on my blog.  Jason requested I make it a few days ago and I finally got around to it. 

Honey-Glazed Chicken Stir Fry

12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 cups loose-pack frozen mixed vegetables
   Hot Cooked Rice

1.  Rinse chicken, pat dry.  Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
For sauce, in a small bowl stir together honey, vinegar, orange juice, soy sauce and cornstarch; set aside.

2.  Pour cooking oil into a wok or large skillet.  Preheat over medium-high heat.  Stir-fry frozen vegetables for 3 minutes or till vegetables are crisp-tender.  Remove vegetables from wok.  Add chicken to hot wok.  Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes or till chicken is no longer pink.  Push chicken from the centre of the wok.  Stir sauce; add to center of the wok.  Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly.

3.  Return cooked vegetables to wok.  Stir all ingredients together to coat.  Cook and stir about 1 minute more or till heated through.  If desired, serve immediately over rice.  Makes 4 servings.

I usually double the ingredients in the sauce to make extra for the rice.  YUMMY!!

A good friend had brought over dinner for us on Sunday night so we still had our dessert we had planned for dinner on Sunday, so we had an extra treat and had dessert on a weeknight.  I maybe overdid the whipped cream a little.

You can never go wrong with Strawberry Shortcake!

Now to figure out what to have tonight - any ideas ...

You Know You're a Good Parent When ...

Final words from Bowen tonight as he was crying in bed.

"I can't believe we have the worst parents ever!"

Lunch with Leslye

My good friend Leslye, who lives in Lethbridge, was coming into Calgary today to do some shopping and gave me a call this morning and we met up for lunch.  Leslye and I were really good friends when I lived in Lethbridge before I got married 10 years ago.  Even though we don't live in the same city anymore and probably see each other about once a year we always seem to just fall back into our friendship naturally whenever we see each other.

We met at the Cheesecake Cafe, had a great lunch (despite the lousy waitress) and had a great talk and lots of laughs.  Oh, and of course the cheesecake.  It turns out we both have the same favorite flavor of cheesecake - the Cheesequake.  So good!  I'm looking forward to having the other half of mine after supper tonight.  I'm grateful that she has been such a good friend to me and I look forward to the next time we get together.

My "New Do" and Slight Panic

I love getting my hair done - unfortunately by the time I get highlights and then a cut and styling I can only afford to do this process about every 6 months.  Saturday was one of those lovely days.  It is so therapeutic to me to have my hair fussed over and the head massage they include at the salon I go to is heavenly!  My hair probably doesn't look very different to everyone else - but I had her include more layers and she took off a bit of length, but I like the overall look and it feels great to have bangs back again.

This shot sort of shows the back!

So the mystery of what is going on with my health never seems to fail me.  Friday another new symptom arrived - not one I want - kind of a scary symptom actually.  I'll leave out all the gory details.  Luckily I already had an appointment set up with my doctor for me and the boys for Monday morning.  The boys checked out great - although they haven't put on the weight in the last year that the doctor expected.  He's not concerned about it but wants me to bring them back in 6 months just to check again.  I think they are probably just going to take after their father and be skinny kids.  As for me, more tests to come, a CT scan of complete abdominal and my back, a pap test, and perhaps another ultrasound.  Hopefully we will get to the bottom of things soon.

I've had a few bad moments of complete panic worried about the worse case scenario, but I eventually calm myself down and know I'll be able to handle whatever is going on.  I need to rely on my Heavenly Father more - why is giving up control so difficult.  I'm sure I'm driving my husband crazy.  He's not used to this emotional mess - currently his wife, or maybe he is!  Either way he is so supportive and just lets me have my rants and then holds me and lets me cry.  I'm praying now that I don't need to wait to long for these tests to happen.  I also realize so many are going through far worse things and that perspective (when I'm thinking straight) helps me.  However, I've sure appreciated how concerned my family and friends have been.  I have several people who check in on me often to see what is going on now!  Thanks so much.  Your support, love and prayers mean alot to me!

The Results Are In!!

So I had my follow up appointment with the GI Guy today.  All my biopsy results after the colonoscopy came back normal - such a relief!!  He thinks that perhaps my pelvic floor has weakened and is not quite functioning normally and could be causing some of the things I'm feeling.  So he's ordered a pelvic floor examination.  Should I google to see what is involved with this test - or just go in blissfully ignorant.  I think I'm leaning towards the blissfully ignorant.  In addition he recommends I have my doctor order at least x-rays or perhaps even an MRI to check out the back and leg pain.  My blood shows indicators of inflammation so it is possible the pain is arthritis.

The only upsetting thing today was the 1 1/2 hour wait at the hospital, and the $8.75 parking fee.  I'm happy that my doctors are being thorough, but so far nothing serious is showing up.  I'm feeling much calmer about the whole situation and am very grateful for good news, so far.  Thanks to all my family and friends who have kept me in their prayers.