Awakening

I have been feeling a connection to nature for a while...a connection that I don't really understand with my logical mind but a connection that I sense with my being. I feel the connection when I am gardening, walking in the woods, sitting among the trees or spending time with my dog. I feel a peace, a happiness a calming of spirit and a hush of the ever present thoughts. This feeling I have discovered can come into the rest of my life when I remain present and focused.

This poem really moved me:

“Lost” by David Wagner:
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying, Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still.
The forest knows where you are.

March break illness

March break activities came to a grinding halt for our family on Monday evening. Nathan woke up with the croup. The importance of his breathing, fever, food intake, vomiting and how to successfully give him medicine took over from all our planned activities. Darren and I have gone back to the baby stage with Nate where we are getting up every night to take care of his needs; we are now on day six. Not to be to left out Jade has joined the ranks of the ill also battling a fever and bad cough. Definitely an illness that her brother shared. School starts tomorrow and the question of whether they will return is still up in the air. I have my fingers and toes crossed. It is difficult to keep a busy three year old entertained and the return to school and his friends would be great.

As I am typing this blog my busy boy is running around behind me opening and closing every door in site. Desperate for attention and to burn some of that wild boy energy. Maybe he is getting better...the ENERGY is back.

First day of March break

The weather has been crazy with snow. The weekend was spent digging out. I was very lucky to have Darren home so I did not have to handle it alone and even luckier to have the use of the neighbours snow blower. All the neighbours came together and worked well making sure the driveways were cleared. Not an easy task.

Today I had the mission of entertaining Nate for the first day of the March break. Jade was at a babysitting course. Nate and I started at the pet store checking out the animals and searching for frogs. Then we went to the mall and Nate played at the indoor play ground. His behaviour has improved so much and he played very well with all the kids. When we got home a message was waiting for us inviting Nate to a play date at his friend Sam's. Nate's first play date without Mom. Very exciting! Wow...growing up. Sam's Mom is fantastic with kids so it was a good date for him with her very capable guidance. Big thanks to Shelley!

After Nate's play date Darren, Nate, Bear and myself went into the ravine for a nice walk. Darren pulled Nate on the sled. Nate was so tired from all his fun that he fell asleep sitting up in the sled. So cute! At one point we had to get him out of the sled to walk and he was walking with his eyes closed because he was so tired. He was happy...just played out. A great start to the March break for Nate and an early bedtime.

This evening I took Jade to a movie. It was good to focus on Jade and have some fun together. The kids are growing up fast.

Hip

What a great weekend!
Roberta, Mike, Darren and myself went to Kingston Ontario to see the Tragically Hip in concert. It was the opening of the new stadium and a big celebration for Kingston. The concert was fantastic! Really fun. Dan Akroyd was there and came out during one of the last songs to play the harmonica. The stadium is fairly small which was a great way to see the Hip.
We also found a good pub to hang out at before and after the concert and we went to dinner at a fantastic restaurant. One of the highlights of the trip was staying in a hotel and sleeping in. That is a big deal when you have young kids.
Big thanks to Emma for taking great care of the kids so we were able to go away and not worry. The kids had lot's of fun hanging out with Emma and having all of her attention.
Great weekend!

Baby Alexander is doing well. I had the chance to hold him for the very first time yesterday. What an amazing thing to hold a new born baby. Beautiful, fragile, strong, determined little one. Such a mix of all the great human qualities.

Nathan met his cousin for the first time. He was busy making funny faces at him and was a little concerned that Mommy was holding Alexander a little longer than what he would like. The feeding thing was a wonder to Nathan...it is not the way he gets his food...life is a big mystery when you are three.

David and Oksana are doing ok but TIRED! They are learning as they go along and loving their son like crazy. When you see your child for the first time...life changes...your heart fills.

As for me...life is great. I really am one of the lucky ones. I have healthy beautiful kids, I am deeply in love with my husband, I like my job and our little world is stable.

Baby Alexander

A big family welcome to the new arrival. David and Oksana had baby Alexander today. I was lucky enough to take a trip to the hospital to see him. Very cute! Oksana is doing well but very tired. I wish them all the happiness!

Snow day so no bus pick up for Jade. That turned into a plus for us because it gave Jade and I time to spend together without Nathan. We went for a hike in the ravine and it was beautiful. We were lucky enough to spot the beaver and we spent some time watching him. The Beaver was swimming in the -10 temp and coming up out of the water with ice all over him. It was really fun to watch and really amazing how the animal survives in the freezing temperature.

(Cliff's pic)